Sarah Stewart, Bassfield, Miss., Branch Service Leader, Receives Regions Bank's Top Associate Honor

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Regions Bank today announced that Sarah Stewart, Branch Service Leader in Bassfield, Mississippi, is the April 2015 recipient of the Regions Bank Better Life Award. The Better Life Award is the top honor given to a Regions associate for outstanding dedication and job performance, as well as exemplary involvement and commitment to the community.

In addition to the recognition, Regions donates $1,000 in the name of the recipient to a nonprofit organization of the winner's choice. Stewart chose the American Cancer Society's Jefferson Davis County Relay for Life, an annual event she helped start in 2003 after fighting her own battle with breast cancer. A video of Stewart is available on the Regions Financial YouTube channel.

Sarah Stewart has stood behind the Regions Bank counter in Bassfield since 1960. In those 55 years, Stewart has seen many changes in the banking industry and served many generations of customers, all while remaining true to a vow she took her first day on the job.

"When the owner of the bank at the time asked me to come work for him, I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do," Stewart said. "He told me, ‘We want you to act just like this is your money and take care of it as if it's your own.' And that's how I've done it all these years."

A lifelong Bassfield resident, Stewart has known many of her customers all her life. Others are drawn to Stewart by loved ones and friends who have trusted her with their banking needs for decades.

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and went through one year of combined radiation and chemotherapy treatments, Stewart still came to work. Many say that's a testament to her desire to serve others, no matter her circumstance.

"Working like she does and has for so long – even working through her health issues – shows what a source of strength Sarah is for her co-workers and customers," said Greg Garraway, Regions' area president for South Mississippi. "You don't do something like that for so long without impacting a number of lives. Everyone knows her; she's an icon."

"If it hadn't been for my co-workers and customers, I don't know what I would do," Stewart said. "I've loved them and they've supported me. They are all like my family."

Stewart volunteers with the Jefferson Davis County Relay for Life every year. When she learns of a cancer diagnosis in her community, she often reaches out to the patient, shares her story of fighting the disease and encourages the patient not to give up.

Stewart also serves as her church treasurer and volunteers as a Bible school teacher each summer.

About The Better Life Award

The Better Life Award is presented monthly to a Regions associate who lives the company's mission to make life better for customers, associates and the communities Regions serves, and who is an example of the company's values:

• Put People First
• Do What Is Right
• Focus On Your Customer
• Reach Higher
• Enjoy Life

Regions associates are nominated for the award by their managers and peers. Regions Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Grayson Hall honors recipients at the company's headquarters in Birmingham, Ala., at a meeting broadcast live to offices in the 16 states Regions serves. In addition to the recognition, associates who earn the Better Life Award receive an additional week of vacation, a crystal award, and a $1,000 donation is made in their name to the charity of their choice.

About Regions Financial Corporation

Regions Financial Corporation RF, with $120 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, mortgage, and insurance products and services. Regions serves customers in 16 states across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,650 banking offices and 2,000 ATMs. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150415005159/en/