Bank of America and Goodwill Industries International announced they are expanding their collaboration through a national partnership that will result in more work opportunities at the bank for Goodwill clients across the U.S.

Under the agreement, Bank of America will work closely with local Goodwill agencies to hire and retain former welfare recipients to work at Bank of America. In addition to training, Goodwill will provide retention and support services to ensure job success.

"Thanks to Bank of America, hundreds of welfare recipients will be starting off with a good job and great benefits that will lead them to unlimited opportunities for advancement," said Fred Grandy, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "Bank of America is leading the charge to help welfare recipients enter the workforce and embark on a satisfying career."

"Our program with Goodwill focuses on an investment in people," said Karen Shawcross, Bank of America national program director for Welfare-to-Work. "Not only does Goodwill provide first-rate training for in-demand jobs, but also Goodwill job-coaches, with the support of Bank of America, to make sure welfare recipients are making a successful entry into the workplace."

Goodwill and Bank of America have collaborated on an innovative curriculum that prepares individuals for positions such as ATM/proof operators, vault processors, return items clerks, account services clerks, and customer service operators. To date, Bank of America has hired over 300 Goodwill graduates from bank and office skills programs in Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas and several other cities. Nine individuals in Atlanta graduated from a six-week customized training course on July 28.

Bank of America managers at all levels praise the caliber of their Goodwill hires. "When managers are looking for new staff, they say, 'Give me one of those Goodwill graduates,'" said Sue Feeder, vice president and national Welfare-to-Work coordinator at Bank of America, Transaction Services, in Seattle. "They are among our best employees -- capable, reliable and loyal."

"Goodwill is able to meet our needs 100%," said Julie Franke, vice president and regional staffing manager at Bank of America in Los Angeles. "Goodwill delivers the kind of candidates we are looking for -- and makes every effort to ensure their success."

Welfare-to-Work programs are supported at every level of the organization, including the Bank of America Board of Directors. In April, Goodwill Industries International named Bank of America (Seattle, Wash.) the organization's 2000 Large Employer of the Year for providing meaningful employment for Goodwill clients.

With $680 billion in assets, Bank of America is the largest bank in the United States, providing financial products and services to 30 million households and two million businesses. Bank of America also provides international corporate financial services for business transactions in 190 countries.

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 181 local, autonomous member organizations in the United States and Canada, and 45 international associate members in 34 countries. Each organization serves people with disabilities and other needs by providing job training and employment programs, as well as job placement opportunities and post-employment support. Through its services, the network helps people overcome barriers to employment and become independent, tax-paying members of their communities. In 1999, Goodwill Industries International served over 373,000 individuals, of these 116,000 were welfare recipients.

Bank of America Corporation

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