The WNBA has named U.S. Bank a league Changemaker, announcing a multi-year partnership with the organization on Thursday. As part of the agreement, U.S. Bank will also serve as the league’s official bank.
The WNBA’s Changemakers platform aims to elevate the player experience, aid in the league’s business transformation and support the league in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. U.S. Bank joins original Changemaker participants AT&T, Deloitte and Nike as well as Google, which signed on last season.
Starting this WNBA season, U.S. Bank will provide current players and former players with access to financial resources and create programs to enhance financial education across the country.
They will also implement a new league-wide financial wellness program, offering players access to financial advisors, benefits and resources so they can create roadmaps for their futures. The arrangement will include networking and mentorship opportunities, internships and training seminars to help set players up for financial success.
“U.S. Bank’s support as a WNBA Changemaker is exactly what we envisioned when we created this platform, and we are excited that U.S. Bank will share in our mission to support the players and the league in unparalleled ways,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “One important element of this partnership was the idea to create financial education programs that will not only offer assistance to the elite athletes of the WNBA during their playing days, but also help set them up for long-term success beyond the court. U.S. Bank has shown outstanding commitment to highlighting our players as role models and community leaders, and we look forward to working together to advance the WNBA.”
“At U.S. Bank, we are focused on empowering women leaders, building wealth, and creating access for diverse communities,” said Andy Cecere, chairman, president and CEO for U.S. Bank. “We look forward to positively impacting women’s basketball as a WNBA Changemaker, not only by amplifying the sport, but also by focusing on social change alongside these other amazing supporters.”
As part of the partnership, the WNBA and U.S. Bank will also work with a non-profit organization to develop a program aimed at improving the financial health of young women in underserved communities, and specifically women of color. It will provide those aspiring to own their own businesses with access to experts in different industries to help them achieve their career and financial goals.
“This relationship represents so much of what we are committed to at U.S. Bank, and we could not be prouder to support the WNBA,” said Kate Quinn, vice chair and chief administrative officer for U.S. Bank. “Together, we will work to advance equity through financial wellness and education, which is part of U.S. Bank Access Commitment™, our long-term approach to building wealth and creating opportunities for diverse customers and employees.”
