New York, October 20, 2020 – Mizuho Americas today announced it received a 2020 American Bankers Association (ABA) Foundation Community Commitment Award for Protecting Older Americans. The award commends Mizuho’s partnership with Encore Community Services to launch the Friendly Phone Call Program, an initiative pairing seniors with volunteers for weekly phone conversations. The outreach provides companionship and compassion, helping alleviate feelings of isolation and despair during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mizuho supported the development and launch of the Friendly Phone Call Program byEncore Community Services, a Manhattan center providing meals, housing, community engagement, and social services to seniors in the Midtown area. Mizuho has been an Encore partner for 23 years, and employees regularly volunteer their lunch hours to assist with Encore’s daily, in-person meal services.
With communal meals no longer possible due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, the Friendly Phone Call Program connects caring volunteers with elderly individuals in need of extra support. Studies show that increased social contact improves mental and physical health, and helps older adults remain independent in their own communities.
“Adaptation has been essential,” said Teiji Teramoto, Chairman and CEO of Mizuho Americas. “Our longstanding partnership with Encore Community Services is something that our New York area employees cherish and we are happy to support this innovative and thoughtful way to partner through the pandemic. While community service is its own reward, we humbly thank the ABA for this honor.”
“Among seniors in NYC, isolation can be thought of as a second pandemic,” said Jeremy Kaplan, Executive Director of Encore Community Services. “Through these phone calls, our community members have developed new friendships that are not simply meaningful, but lifesaving. Encore is deeply grateful to Mizuho and its dedicated group of volunteers for their commitment to our elderly community, and this recognition is well-deserved.”
The award was presented this morning at the ABA Annual Convention’s opening session, held virtually this year. Entries were divided into seven categories including affordable housing, community and economic development, financial education, economic inclusion, protecting older Americans, supporting military families and volunteerism. Award winners were chosen by a field of nationally-recognized experts.
The selection committee chose the winning banks based on the creativity and thoughtfulness of programs — traditional or innovative in nature and structure — that embody the ideals of corporate social responsibility and demonstrate success in measurable terms.
“Mizuho saw an opportunity to improve the lives of those in their community and took action,” said Corey Carlisle, executive director, ABA Foundation. “It’s Friendly Phone Call Program made a meaningful difference in New York City and we hope their work serves as a blue print for others throughout the industry.”
To learn more about the ABA Foundation Community Commitment Awards, visit aba.com/awards.
About Mizuho Americas
Mizuho Americas is a leading financial institution comprising several legal entities, which together offer clients corporate and investment banking, financing, securities, treasury services, asset management, research and more. With professionals in offices throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Chile, Mizuho's operations in the Americas connect a broad client base of major corporations, financial institutions and public sector groups to local markets and a vast global network. Learn more at www.mizuhoamericas.com.
Mizuho Americas is an integral part of the Japan-based Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: MFG). Mizuho Financial Group is one of the largest financial institutions in the world, offering comprehensive financial and strategic services including private banking and venture capital through its subsidiaries. The group has over 900 offices and 60,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries throughout the Americas, EMEA, and Asia. As of December 31, 2019, its total assets were $1.8 trillion. Learn more about Mizuho Financial Group at www.mizuho-fg.com
For inquiries, please contact:
Jim Gorman
Director, Media Relations, Mizuho Americas
+1-212-282-3867
[email protected]
Max Rayden
Account Supervisor, Financial Communications & Capital Markets, Edelman
+1-917-344-4795
[email protected]
Laura London
Vice President, Media Relations, Mizuho Americas
+1-212-282-4446
[email protected]