What is Bank Day?

The third Tuesday in March was declared Bank Day in Virginia by the Virginia General Assembly in 1991. On this day, Virginia high school seniors learn about banking, financial services, career opportunities in the industry and the vital role banks play in their communities. 

From their experience, the students are required to write an essay, and fourteen scholarships (six honorable mention, six regional, one statewide runner-up and one statewide) will be awarded on the basis of the essays. 

Program Details

Bank Day will be held in a hybrid format in 2026, with in-person or virtual experiences provided by your bank supplemented by banking industry content provided by the VBA.

Student Participation Criteria

• Currently enrolled as a high school senior in a Virginia high school
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Resident of Virginia
• Teacher/guidance counselor contact information provided by the student

Scholarship Amounts: $28,500 to Be Awarded in 2026!

$28,500 total will be awarded in 2026!

• $1,000 Each for six honorable mention scholarships
• $2,500 Each for six regional winners
• $2,500 Statewide Runner-Up winner ($5,000 total since all candidates will also be regional winners)
• $5,000 Statewide winner ($7,500 total since all candidates will also be regional winners)

Complete a Bank Interest Form Today!

Interested banks can complete the bank interest form here. After completion of this form, the VBA will send you information on how best to contact teachers and how to promote your participation in this program to the media beginning in January 2026. The VBA will keep you updated on Bank Day information and students’ registrations. 

Interested in Learning More? View the Recording of the Informational Meeting

You can view the recording of December’s informational meeting here. You can view the slides from the meeting here.

Congratulations to the 2026 Winners!

Each of the six regional winners received a $2,500 college scholarship. The statewide runner-up received an additional $2,500 and the statewide winner received an additional $5,000. There were also six honorable mention winners who each received a $1,000 college scholarship. 

Congratulations to the following students and bank hosts:

• Capitol Region Winner: Peter Roberts, Midlothian High School, Hosted by C&F Bank
• Capitol Region Honorable Mention Winner: Kaitlynne Kelsey, Cumberland High School, Hosted by The Farmers Bank of Appomattox
• Central/Southside Region Winner: Riley Price, Glenvar High School, Hosted by Bank of Botetourt
• Central/Southside Region Honorable Mention Winner: Idrak Anwar, Western Albemarle High School, Hosted by C&F Bank
• Eastern Virginia Region Winner: Earling Hunter, II, King’s Fork High School, Hosted by Blue Ridge Bank
• Eastern Virginia Region Honorable Mention Winner: Christopher Iyinbor, Hampton High School, Hosted by C&F Bank
• Northern Virginia Region Winner: Aakriti Rustagi, Langley High School, Hosted by Virginia National Bank
• Northern Virginia Region Honorable Mention Winner: Hunter Guthrie, James Madison High School, Virginia National Bank
• Valley Region Winner: Lauren Funk, James Wood High School, Hosted by F&M Bank
• Valley Region Honorable Mention Winner: Isam Mousa, Spotswood High School, Hosted by Virginia National Bank
• Southwest Virginia Region Winner: Peyton Williams, Lee High School, Hosted by Powell Valley National Bank
• Southwest Virginia Region Honorable Mention Winner: Kylan Brooks, Lebanon High School, Hosted by First Sentinel Bank