Judging Criteria

The focus of the Joe Belew Award changes annually to reflect current financial issues. Previous Awards have focused on job creation, low- and moderate-income housing programs, and programs supporting military servicemembers, veterans and their families. The objectives of the Joe Belew Award are timely, and they are targeted to make a difference.
Regardless of topic, judges consider the following criteria for each applicant program:
Innovation:
- What is unique or innovative about your banks program that sets it apart from other banks?
Impact:
- Does the program have an evaluation plan to measure progress and impact?
- What measurable success has the program achieved or potentially will achieve?
Responsiveness:
- What was needed from your bank to respond to the needs of the community?
- How quick was your bank to react?
Collaboration:
- How has the bank involved organizations or individuals from the community in the program?
- What partnerships have been formed?
Additional Information
- The Joe Belew Award is not intended for full departments or entities within a bank that regularly perform charitable or philanthropic activities but rather for a specific program. Large and small banks are judged on equal footing. Judges look for quality over quantity.
- The Joe Belew Award winner and finalists are selected by volunteer members of the CBA Community Reinvestment Committee in consultation with the chairman and officers of the Consumer Bankers Foundation.