New Amalgamated Bank Checking Customers to Receive $150 While Bank Donates $50 to Select Progressive Organization of Their Choice

NEW YORK – Starting today, new checking customers of Amalgamated Bank will be eligible for “Banking That Gives Back,” in which they will receive $150 and a progressive organization of their choice will receive $50. This announcement comes on the heels of other recent moves by Amalgamated Bank, the leading bank of progressive people, organizations, businesses, and labor, including forceful advocacy for a $15 an hour minimum wage for all workers and vocal support of New York City’s municipal ID program.

“We’ve been proud to represent and support a number of key progressive charities and advocacy groups for decades, and now new customers have a chance to support those organizations directly while making a smart financial decision for themselves,” said Keith Mestrich, President and CEO of Amalgamated Bank.  “For each new checking account, we’ll be giving the customer $150, while putting an additional $50 to good use on the issues that matter to us and our community. I hope many people take advantage of this great opportunity to help these important groups.”

Amalgamated Bank will work with six different organizations for Banking That Gives Back. New customers will have the option to support:

• The League of Conservation Voters
• Color of Change
• YWCA USA
• The LGBT Center of New York City
• Jobs With Justice
• MoveOn.org Civic Action

“It’s not every day you find a bank that shares your values. But Amalgamated Bank puts its support for working families at the front of everything they do. We're proud to be working with them,” said Sarita Gupta, Executive Director of Jobs With Justice.

“It’s an honor to be part of Amalgamated Bank’s Banking That Gives Back promotion, and we salute them for taking strides to support organizations like The Center that are essential to maintaining the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers,” said Glennda Testone, Executive Director of The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. “We’re so pleased, and grateful, that New Yorkers will have the chance to show their dedication to The Center and our work to support NYC’s LGBT community.”

“We are thrilled to be included in this exciting new program. Amalgamated Bank has been deeply supportive of our work to protect the environment. We have worked together on a wide range of strategies over the years and their new focus on sustainable banking makes them a strong leader in the fight against climate change,” said Gene Karpinski, president of the League of Conservation Voters.

“YWCA USA is proud to be part of Amalgamated Bank’s campaign, which will support our national movement as we seek to empower women and eliminate racism,” said Dara Richardson-Heron, M.D., CEO of YWCA USA. “It is through connections like these, where people and organizations partner together on a mission for social good, that we can really make a difference."

The Executive Director of ColorOfChange, Rashad Robinson, added, "ColorOfChange is proud to be working with Amalgamated Bank, and we are excited about the launch of their 'Banking That Gives Back’ Program. ColorOfChange only teams with corporations that share our values. As a progressive and socially conscious institution, Amalgamated is an important leader in the banking industry.  We appreciate their on-going support of our work as we aim to strengthen the voice of Black Americans and create positive change around political and social issues that affect the Black community."  

“MoveOn.org Civic Action is proud to work with Amalgamated Bank, an ally that shares our progressive values, on the Banking That Gives Back program,” said Tzyh Ng, Lead Entrepreneur at MoveOn. “Our work together will help MoveOn and its millions of members push forward progressive political and social change on issues that matter to everyone, including a $15 minimum wage, sustainable banking, and fair pay.”

About Amalgamated Bank

For nearly a century, Amalgamated Bank has been a financial institution with a purpose: affordable and accessible banking for all. Offering customers nationwide the products and services of a major financial institution, Amalgamated is committed to the values on which it was founded. We proudly advocate for workers’ rights and promote the highest standards of environmental, social and corporate governance practices, which is why we are the first choice of progressive organizations and people ­ from presidential campaigns and labor unions to individuals who want a bank that believes everyone should be able to participate fully in our economy. We serve our communities with the core principle that the real currency of banking isn’t dollars- ­ it’s trust.