Better Banks announces a scholarship competition that enables Illinois high school seniors to enter a statewide essay-writing contest. It is all part of a program sponsored by Illinois community banks and the CBAI Foundation for Community Banking to increase public awareness of locally-owned banks and their contributions to the community.

Better Banks is a Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI) member, which formed the Foundation in 1996. A monetary award of $1,000 yearly for up to four years of higher education will be awarded to the author of the best essay submitted to the CBAI Foundation by a participating Illinois high school senior. Up to 11 additional first-place $1,000 awards and 12 second-place awards of $500 are available in each region of the state. An additional $500 will be awarded to the high school of the overall winner.

The bank is working with all area High Schools to invite seniors to write a one-page essay on the theme: How are fintechs impacting the banking industry?

The length of the essay is not to exceed one-page double-spaced, using Times New Roman font and 10-12-point size. Information on the contest is available at the bank and on their website; essays must be submitted to the bank by February 24th. The bank will then submit selected entries to the CBAI Foundation to be eligible for the statewide competition.