Financial sector aids hurricane relief efforts

Here’s a quick look at some of the efforts by companies in the financial services and banking sector to help those whose lives have been forever affected.

U.S. Bank opens hurricane relief fund

Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank, which has operations in Springfield, has established the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund for individuals who want to contribute money for relief efforts.

Contributions can be made at any of U.S. Bank’s 2,383 locations, which are listed online at www.usbank.com, or by calling (800) USBANKS and speaking to a customer service representative.

All donations to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund will be forwarded to the American Red Cross, according to a news release from the bank, and the fund will be maintained as long as there is a need.

Additionally, U.S. Bank is developing programs to help its retail, small-business and commercial banking customers in the region directly affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Great Southern accepts Convoy of Hope donations

Springfield-based Great Southern Bank is accepting donations for hurricane relief at each of its 34 branches in southwest and central Missouri.

According to a news release from the bank, the donations will go to Convoy of Hope, which is responding to victims’ needs by providing ice, water, food and other supplies.

Convoy of Hope has its headquarters in Springfield.

The organization provides disaster relief by building supply lines and sponsoring outreach efforts.

A.G. Edwards donates $100,000 to Red Cross

St. Louis-based A.G. Edwards is donating $100,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund through the firm’s corporate giving program.

“The devastating impact of the hurricane has greatly affected the lives of so many people in and around the Gulf Coast, including some of our own employees and friends,” said Robert L. Bagby, chairman and chief executive of A.G. Edwards, in a news release.

Many of the firm’s 15,000 employees in St. Louis and across the country are participating in “A.G. Edwards Cares,” an initiative to combine individual contributions into one gift, which also will be sent to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund.

Regions Bank outlines post-hurricane strategy

Birmingham, Ala.-based Regions Financial Corp., the holding company for Regions Bank, which has operations in Springfield, has sustained damage to several of its locations in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

However, the bank is moving forward with its strategy to continue operations and to help with relief efforts.

“Thankfully, we have heard from the majority of our associates in the most heavily impacted areas, and are grateful that of those, none have sustained serious physical injury,” said Regions President and CEO Jackson W. Moore, in a news release.

Regions has arranged for temporary housing, helped people get cash for food and delivered ice and other supplies.

“Even though Regions took a hard hit from this storm, we have been and will continue to be there to make sure both our customers and others have access to their cash and credit,” Moore said. “Our goal is to help with a speedy recovery and rebuilding process.”

Regions has established temporary emergency business banking centers in Jackson, Miss., and Gulfport, Miss., and Baton Rouge, La.

With the exception of 10 branches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and 35 branches in the greater New Orleans area, Regions Bank branches are open for business, though in some markets a temporary modular banking unit or mobile automated teller machine is in place.

Regions also is a donations acceptance site for both the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.