F&M Bank’s Nick Means expands financial empowerment efforts across Rowan County: Community banking officer builds trust, access, and opportunity through education and leadership – Salisbury Post

F&M Bank Initiative Advances Sustainable Development Goals in Rowan County

Report on Financial Empowerment and Community Partnership

A community-focused initiative led by F&M Bank’s Community Banking Officer, Nick Means, is actively contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout Rowan County. The program centers on expanding financial empowerment through education and strategic partnerships, directly addressing key global development targets.

Alignment with SDG 4: Quality Education

Promoting Lifelong Learning and Financial Literacy

The core of the initiative is the provision of accessible financial education, a direct contribution to SDG 4. By leading workshops and implementing new curricula, the program equips individuals with essential skills for sustainable livelihoods.

• Target 4.4: Skills for Employment: The program delivers financial literacy training to students, preparing them with practical skills necessary for economic self-sufficiency and decent work.
• Target 4.7: Education for Sustainable Development: By teaching lasting financial habits, the initiative provides knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development and responsible lifestyles.

Educational Partnerships

Key collaborations have been established with a range of educational institutions to maximize reach and impact:

• North Rowan High School
• Livingstone College
• Salisbury Academy
• South Rowan High School’s L.I.F.E. program

Advancing Economic and Social Equity

Contribution to SDG 8 and SDG 10

The program’s focus on financial inclusion serves as a catalyst for local economic growth and the reduction of systemic inequalities.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

By building a strong financial foundation for community members, the initiative supports inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Financial stability empowers individuals to participate more fully in the local economy, fostering resilience and opportunity.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

A primary objective is to bridge the gap between financial institutions and historically underserved populations, particularly communities of color. This effort directly confronts financial exclusion by building trust and making banking services more approachable and accessible, thereby working to reduce inequality within the community.

Fostering SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

The success of this initiative is built upon a foundation of cross-sector partnerships, exemplifying the spirit of SDG 17. Mr. Means’ engagement with various local boards strengthens the connection between the private sector and community organizations, creating a unified approach to development.

1. The Blanche & Julian Robertson Family Foundation
2. Catawba College Board of Trustees
3. Rowan County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Rowan Steering Committee
4. Next Generation Academy
5. Rowan-Salisbury School System Career and Technical Education Advisory Board

These partnerships demonstrate a robust model for how corporate entities can collaborate with educational, civic, and non-profit organizations to achieve shared sustainable development objectives.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article discusses efforts to expand financial empowerment and teach lasting financial habits. Financial literacy and access to banking services are fundamental tools that enable individuals and families to manage resources, build assets, and move out of poverty.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • This is a central theme of the article. Nick Means leads workshops and teaches a financial literacy curriculum in various educational institutions, from high schools like North Rowan High to colleges like Livingstone College. This directly contributes to providing relevant life skills education.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • By providing financial education and access to banking, the initiative supports local economic growth. It equips individuals with the financial knowledge necessary for entrepreneurship and stable employment. The partnership with the Career and Technical Education Advisory Board further strengthens this link.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article explicitly mentions the goal of bridging the “distrust between financial institutions and communities of color.” By making banking more accessible and building trust, the program aims to reduce inequalities in access to financial services for marginalized communities.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The entire initiative is built on partnerships. F&M Bank, a private entity, collaborates with schools, colleges, churches, and community organizations (like The Blanche & Julian Robertson Family Foundation and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce) to achieve its goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.4: “By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services… and financial services…”
   • The work of Nick Means to make “banking more approachable and accessible” directly aligns with increasing access to financial services for the entire community.
2. Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.”
   • The article highlights the new “financial literacy curriculum at North Rowan High” and workshops for “audiences of all ages” designed to “build lasting financial habits,” which are relevant skills for economic self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship.
3. Target 8.10: “Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all.”
   • F&M Bank’s creation of the “community banking officer” position is a direct action to strengthen its capacity to expand access to financial services and education throughout Rowan County.
4. Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… race, ethnicity… or other status.”
   • The initiative’s specific focus on rebuilding trust with “communities of color” is a clear effort to promote the economic inclusion of historically marginalized groups.
5. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…”
   • The article details partnerships between F&M Bank (private sector) and various community entities like North Rowan High School (public), Livingstone College (private/civil society), and The Blanche & Julian Robertson Family Foundation (civil society).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Implied Indicator for Target 4.4: Proportion of youth/adults with financial literacy skills.
   • While the article does not provide numbers, progress could be measured by the number of students who complete the financial literacy curriculum at North Rowan High School and other partner schools. The number of attendees at community workshops is another metric.
2. Implied Indicator for Targets 1.4, 8.10, and 10.2: Proportion of population with a bank account.
   • The goal of making banking “approachable and accessible” implies a desire to increase the number of people using formal financial services. Progress could be measured by the number of new bank accounts opened by individuals from targeted communities, including students and members of communities of color.
3. Implied Indicator for Target 17.17: Number of multi-stakeholder partnerships.
   • The article explicitly lists numerous partners. Progress can be measured by the number and strength of partnerships formed between F&M Bank and community organizations. The article names several, including North Rowan High School, Livingstone College, Salisbury Academy, The Blanche & Julian Robertson Family Foundation, and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: salisburypost.com