About Us

The Rhode Island Bankers Association was first organized in 1915 and serves as the sole Rhode Island based organization serving the banking industry and will advocate for its member institutions and participate alongside other New England Banking industry associations in order to fulfill the following goals:

• Provide strong governance and advocacy for the benefit of its members.
• Maintain a high level of participation from the banking community.
• Remain actively engaged in statewide, regional and national issues for the benefit of its members. Maintain strong working relationships with the American Bankers Association and nearby state banking associations.
• Provide access to its members to the State of Rhode Island legislative branch, executive branch offices and state agencies.
• Continue to provide educational, informational and networking opportunities to its members.
• Maintain and provide transparent data and facts regarding the collective accomplishments of its members to the community at large.
• Operate the Association in a viable financial manner while maintaining a reasonable dues structure for its members.

Making a Difference by Contributing to the Local Economy

Each and every day, Rhode Island’s Banks are making a difference in the lives of the people, businesses, and cities and towns within the Ocean State. Rhode Island Banks are an essential part of the economy, providing $2.7 billion in residential mortgages to homeowners and generating $3.7 billion in outstanding loans to small businesses.

Contributions from RI Banks to local non-profit organizations through donations, grants, and matching gifts total more than $15.2 million. Member Banks have also reached out to thousands of Rhode Island students through financial literacy programs featuring online and mobile web programs, and many offer these programs to adults as well, to help build the financial awareness of all Rhode Islanders.

In addition to promoting growth and jobs through lending, RI Banks employ more than 9,600 people. In 2021, RI Banks and their employees donated more than $1.4 million to the United Way, and Bank employees volunteered more than 95,000 hours of service to help their neighbors in need. Some of our nation’s oldest banks were founded and still operate here in Rhode Island. With this rich history, Rhode Island’s Bankers have played a key role in our state’s past and will continue to do so in the future.