Angela McKenzie, Accounting Operations Manager, Receives Regions Bank's Top Associate Honor

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

Regions Bank today announced that Accounting Operations Manager Angela McKenzie, from Birmingham, Alabama, is the February 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 charity of the winner's choice. McKenzie chose Junior Achievement of Alabama. She has volunteered for several years with the group to provide financial education to inner-city high school students. A video of McKenzie is available on the Regions Financial YouTube channel.

Through Junior Achievement, McKenzie teaches students the importance of budgeting, saving and investing money. She also encourages them to explore all available money sources to pay for college.

"Some of the students I interact with will be first-generation college students – so was I," McKenzie said. "I want to share my knowledge and experiences so the process doesn't seem intimidating and overwhelming."

At a recent education event at Birmingham's Jackson-Olin High School, McKenzie recalled how years before at Sylacauga High School in Talladega County, she felt similar to the students.

"I can see myself in them – full of ambition and hope – but not really sure how to make the dream of a college education a reality," McKenzie said. "A family friend took the time to talk to me about financial aid and scholarship opportunities. I pursued those options and was awarded a full scholarship to Alabama State University. The Junior Achievement curriculum gives me an opportunity to start that conversation with students."

McKenzie has another avenue for helping young people forge a bright future. She teaches prospective students how to navigate the college admissions process, supports scholarship workshops, and recruits fellow alumni to invest in her alma mater's future. Last year, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley chose McKenzie to serve as a trustee for Alabama State University.

"Alabama State University means a lot to me," McKenzie said. "The investment the school made in me years ago is priceless, invaluable. It drives me to give back to the university and introduce others to the world of opportunities available at ASU."

A life of giving is important to McKenzie. She returns every weekend to her native Sylacauga to donate her time and talents to the community that gave her a great start in life. She leads neighborhood service projects with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, and is finance chair of her childhood church, St. Thomas United Methodist.

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/20150211006411/en/