Claremont Savings Bank staff pose for a photo as they prepare a meal for a soup kitchen. Photo courtesy of NH Bankers

The New Hampshire Bankers Association organized its fifth annual month of service event, branded as #NHBanksGiveBack on social media during the month of October

The effort was intended to highlight the collective efforts by New Hampshire’s banking industry to support local communities through community service and financial support.

The trade group said 29 member banks participated in this coordinated volunteer month of service. Banks were asked to engage in one or more of their regularly scheduled community service efforts.

“Banks in New Hampshire not only provide the economic muscle that powers our state through employing nearly 6,000 Granite Staters and issuing $6.7 billion in home and small business loans in 2024, but it also has a charitable heart that sustains our communities every day,” NH Bankers CEO Kristy Merrill said in a statement. “New Hampshire’s banking industry across the state is united in a commitment to service and in support of the State we all love so much. We’re incredibly proud of our bankers for their tremendous community support every day and during this charitable campaign leading into the holiday season.”

Banks gave $578,836 to community fundraisers during October, ranging from food gift cards for senior centers, domestic abuse victim support to youth sports donations.

The association said 1,265 bank staff volunteered 5,530 hours during the event at across 262 volunteer events that ran the gamut from scam-awareness seminars to pet food drives and soup kitchen meal preparation.

Overall, 441 organizations received support from NH Bankers member banks in October.