A recent editorial, along with reports produced by certain special-interest groups, made false claims about Regions Bank’s business strategies and philanthropy. Here, we set the record straight.
False Claim: Regions “often yields to political activism in shaping corporate governance, potentially alienating consumers, dividing employees, and harming shareholders.”
Truth: The above claim simply is not accurate. Our strategic plan focuses on three goals: soundness, profitability, and growth. The purpose is to benefit our customers, communities, associates, and shareholders. No ideological agendas. Just good stewardship. Consider this:
- Regions’ strong financial performance is backed by solid profits and account growth, benefiting our shareholders. This includes growth in earnings per share as Regions has been a top-quartile performer on both a five- and 10-year relative basis compared to peer banks.
- We uphold our duty to shareholders, customers, and associates by making financially sound decisions without regard to political or social viewpoints. And we’re transparent about it, publishing details about our corporate governance in Regions’ annual Shared Value Report.
- Regions puts customers first. In turn, our customers rank us first. Just recently, Regions was rated number-one in customer satisfaction among traditional banks according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI®) 2025 Finance and Insurance Study.
- Regions offers a terrific workplace. For 11 consecutive years, Regions has earned the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award for employee engagement. This award recognizes the most engaged workplace cultures in the world.
False Claim: Regions “implements race and identity-based policies that replace merit, excellence, and integrity with preferential treatment and outcomes.”
Truth: Regions recruits employees based on merit – not based on identity characteristics. Likewise, Regions recruits vendors and suppliers based on merit – not based on identity characteristics. Further, there are no vendor, associate, or supplier “quotas” or goals at Regions.
False Claim: Regions “occasionally embraces corporate initiatives that redirect its central focus from business goals to partisan policies and divisive issues at times.”
Truth: We never lose sight of our role as a business meeting the needs of our customers, communities, associates, and shareholders. And we don’t work to advance “partisan policies and divisive issues.” That’s just not part of our business. Rather, our work is focused on helping people and businesses reach their financial goals. Further, our community engagement strategy is closely tailored to our work as financial professionals. That’s why we focus our volunteerism and philanthropy on three key pillars:
- Economic and Community Development
- Education and Workforce Readiness
- Creating Greater Financial Wellness
False Claim: Regions donated $14.6 million to Black Lives Matter (BLM) “and affiliated causes.”
Truth: BLM did not receive any donations from Regions. Instead, in 2021, Regions Bank, the Regions Community Development Corporation, and the nonprofit Regions Foundation announced a combined $14.6 million supporting workforce development programs, small-business development organizations, homeownership programs, and community development financial institutions (CDFIs), which provide essential banking services, often in rural areas or other communities that are underserved. CDFIs benefit people from a wide range of backgrounds. And this philanthropy is all consistent with Regions Bank’s long-term work to provide financial tools and resources designed to help more people prosper.
We want to be clear: We respect the roles of advocacy groups, and we appreciate their involvement in furthering the national dialogue on important issues that affect us all. However, we must ensure the conversation is rooted in facts, not inaccuracies, misrepresentations, or outdated information.
And to that end, it should also be noted that, despite what a recent editorial implied, Regions does not actively participate in Corporate Equality Index surveys issued by the Human Rights Campaign and hasn’t done so in years. And while we have a solid track record of operating sustainably and using energy efficiently, we don’t discriminate based on any so-called “ESG” factors. Regions has always believed all people and businesses should be provided equal and fair consideration by the banking system.
Banking relationships are built on trust, respect, and fair treatment. This commitment has been, and will remain, at the heart of how we operate as a responsible business. And that’s a fact.