Welcome to the virtual Essex Bank/VBA Bank Day Scholarship Program! This page is dedicated to resources for students participating in the virtual Bank Day Scholarship Program. Students will have access to this page from March 15-April 2.

Essex Bank is headquartered in Virginia, but has a branch presence in Maryland and works to ensure scholarships are available for students in both states.  We encourage your participation. Please contact Jamie Covey at Essex Bank with any questions about the scholarship program at jcovey@essexbank.com or 804-698-0773. 

Student participation criteria reminders:

• Student must currently be enrolled as a high school senior.
• Student must hold a 3.0 or higher GPA.
• Student must be a resident of Maryland.
• Student must attend a high school in the state of Maryland.

Scholarship Amounts: $1,000 will be Awarded by Essex Bank* in 2021 to a High School Senior

*Please note that Maryland residents are not eligible for the Virginia VBA Bank Day scholarships due to residency, but are eligible for the Essex Bank awarded scholarship.

Welcome Message from Scott Harvard, CEO of First Bank, Virginia and VBA Education Foundation Chair

Program Timeline

• March 15-April 2: Students have access to the Bank Day resources
• April 2 by 5:00 p.m.: Student essays are due to Essex Bank. Please see the Essay Information section below for more information about essay submission.
• By the end of April: Essex Bank Scholarship Winner will be announced

Essay Information

2021 Bank Day Essay Topic: What did you learn through your Bank Day experience or from Bank Day resources that will help you manage your financial future AND what did you learn about how banks support their communities?

Please remember that the essays are due to Essex Bank by April 2, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.

Essay Planning Document

Essay guidelines

• Essay must be typed in English within ONE Microsoft Word or Google document (please do NOT submit PDF documents).
• Please submit your document with the following file name format: “First Name Last Name”
• Essays must not deviate from the assigned topic. Essay MUST address both parts of the essay topic.
• Do not use any Microsoft or Google templates or pre-formatting in your document.
• Essay must be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font.
• Page set-up must include 1.5 lines spacing with all margins set to 1 inch.  
• Include a title page (separate page within the Word/Google document containing your essay, not a separate document) with the following information:
  • Name
  • E-mail address
  • Phone number
  • School’s name
  • Date submitted
  • Title of essay
• Do not include your name or any personal information on any page other than the title page.
• Essay is limited to two pages (not including the title page or works cited page). Writing beyond this limit will result in disqualification.
• Those who plagiarize will be disqualified.  All ideas must be your own. Any references must be cited.

Essay Submission Information

Essays must be submitted to Essex Bank by April 2nd at 5 p.m.

• Microsoft Word Documents: submit via email to afisher@essexbank.com.
• Google Docs: share link or document (make sure to give ‘edit’ permission) with afisher@essexbank.com.

You can view a PDF of the essay guidelines here.

Essay Selection Criteria

Student essays are assessed by a committee of Essex Bank associates from VA and MD.  Student names and schools will be removed from the essays prior to scoring.  One VA essay will be selected and awarded one of the two $1000 Essex Bank scholarships and one MD essay will be selected and awarded one of the two $1000 Essex Bank scholarships.

Essays are scored using the following rubric:

• Content: 40 Points
  • Adherence to essay topic
  • Logical interpretation of the topic; easy to follow
• Creativity: 40 Points
  • Interesting and thoughtful presentation of the topic
• Accuracy: 20 Points
  • Grammatically correct
  • Proper format, adherence to essay guidelines (please see essay guidelines above for more information on how to structure the essay)

Resources: Watch

Through this series of videos, you will learn more about the banking industry, ways to manage your financial future, careers in banking and the ways that banks support the communities they serve.

The State of the Banking Industry: A Look Back and a Glance Forward

Presenter: Bruce Whitehurst, Virginia Bankers Association

In this video, VBA President & CEO Bruce Whitehurst provides an overview of the VBA and the current banking industry landscape, as well as discusses two of the most challenging periods in recent years – the 2008 financial crisis and great recession and the pandemic – and those periods’ effects on banking. This video will enable to you to better understand the banking industry and issues that are at the forefront of bankers’ mind during this unprecedented time.​

View Bruce’s presentation on the banking industry here.

Banking fundamentals

Presenter: Jennifer Knighting, Oak View National Bank

In this video, you will learn about the different financial institutions, advantages of being “banked”, basic services provided by financial institutions, and ways to avoid common debt problems. 

View Jennifer’s presentation on banking fundamentals here.

View the Banking Fundamentals PowerPoint Here!

banking 101

Presenter: Jamie Covey, Essex Bank

In this video, you will learn about basic bank function, bank structure, and products and services offered by financial institutions. 

View Jamie’s presentation on Banking 101 here.

View the Banking 101 Participant Guide Here! (Microsoft Word)
View the Banking 101 Participant Guide Here! (Google Doc)

Understanding credit

Presenter: Lynda Phillips, Old Point National Bank

In this video, you will learn about the information used to make up your credit score, the importance of a good credit rating, and ways to check your credit annually.

View Lynda’s presentation on understanding credit here.

View the Understanding Credit PowerPoint Here!

Careers in Banking Video Series

Presenters: Nathalia Artus, Atlantic Union Bank; Ryan Eisenberg, TowneBank; Jamie Johnson, Farmers Bank; Nicole Martin, Benchmark Community Bank; Amy Mellinger, Powell Valley National Bank; and Marcus Wade, Bank of Botetourt

In this series of videos, you will learn about different careers in banking and what personality traits, skills and courses support each of the job functions at a bank.

• Introduction & Careers in Banking Overview
• Branch Operations
• Human Resources, Marketing & Public Relations
• Information Systems
• Community Outreach
• Compliance 

View the Becoming a Banker PowerPoint Here!

community engagement panel

Panelists: Terry Parker, TowneBank; Dale Schuurman, JPMorgan Chase; and Sherry Williams, Chesapeake Bank

In this video, Terry, Dale and Sherry discuss the variety of ways banks across Virginia support the communities they serve. They discuss the industry’s role in financial education, diversity, equity and inclusion, and other partnerships with community organizations. In this video, Terry references the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). To learn more about PPP, see the three-part podcast series linked in the Resources: Listen section on this page. 

View their discussion here.

other video resources

• COVID-19: America’s Banks Respond | American Bankers Association
• Find Your Future in Banking | American Bankers Association
• How a FICO Credit Score is Determined | EconLowdown 

Resources: Read

Students are STRONGLY encouraged to check their virtual host bank’s website and social media platforms for more specific information about ways the bank supports your local community. Consider searching for the bank’s most recent Annual Report or Letter to Shareholders on their website.

• Virginia: Banks’ Economic Impact
  • On this site, part of the American Bankers Association’s America’s Banks website, you’ll learn how Virginia’s banks are supporting our state’s economy with consumer, business and other loans, how bankers are safely serving their customers and communities, and how banks are providing more than 45,000 people with a rewarding place to work. 
• Infographic: Career Opportunities at America’s Banks
• Pandemic is Bringing Out the Best in Bankers | American Banker
• Virginia Bankers Association’s Facebook Page
  • On our Facebook page, you can see the variety of ways Virginia banks are supporting their communities, with a focus on financial literacy efforts.
• Check out the VBA Newsroom and In the News sections of our website to read about bankers making an impact across the Commonwealth.​

Resources: Listen

• Podcast: Building a Career as a Community Banker | ABA Banking Journal
• Podcast: Celebrating Bankers’ Community Commitment | ABA Banking Journal
• Podcast: Maggie L. Walker’s Historic Mission of Financial Empowerment | ABA Banking Journal
• Podcast: A Look at the Virginia Economy | Speaking of the Economy – Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
• Podcast Series: We Were Economic First Responders | ABA Banking Journal
  Hear banker stories behind the Paycheck Protection Program in a three-part podcast series
  • All Hands on Deck
  • Culture Shock
  • Their Finest Hour

Understanding Student Loans: Resources from VBA Associate Member College Ave

Through these videos and blog posts provided by VBA Associate Member College Ave, you’ll learn more about the student loan process and tips for paying for college. 

Videos and Blog Posts:

• How to Pay for College: 6 Ways to Cover Your Costs
• 10 Financial Strategies to Cover Your College Costs
• Student Loans 101: How Student Loans Work
• How To Apply For The FAFSA
• What is the Cost of Attendance?
• When Should You Take Out a Private Student Loan?
• How to Read Your Financial Aid Award Letter

Other Resources from College Ave:

• College Ave College Planning Timeline for Students and Parents Getting Ready for College
• College Ave Credit 101: What is it and Why is it Important?
• College Ave College Budget Planner
• College Ave Student Budget Worksheet

college ave $1,000 scholarship monthly sweepstakes

As an additional scholarship opportunity, you can enter to win a $1,000 College Ave Student Loans scholarship. They’ll choose one lucky winner each month, so be sure to check back each month to enter! Learn more and enter here.