AUSTIN, Texas -- On Wednesday and Thursday, community bankers gave away $80,000 worth of gasoline at select gas stations around the country as part of promotion by new online banking venture Kasasa.com in an effort energize consumers to "Take Back Your Banking" from the "megabanks."
On Wednesday, the gas station "takeovers" took place in 10 U.S. cities--New York, Baltimore, Memphis, Tenn., Portland, Ore., St. Louis, New Orleans, Little Rock, Ark., Lake Charles, La., Lima, Ohio, and Jackson, Miss. It gave away $40,000 of fuel.
On Thursday, the events took place in 10 more cities--Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Jersey City, N.J., Columbus, Ohio, Dallas, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Mo., Chattanooga, Tenn., and Lafayette, La. It gave away a second $40,000 of fuel.
Representatives from community banks and credit unions that have joined forces under Kasasa.com, a national brand of free checking and savings accounts, were on hand at each location to personally pump $20 worth of gasoline to the first 200 consumers.
With gasoline prices reaching a pain point for American consumers, the giveaway highlighted small-town bankers' efforts to give back to their communities, Kasasa.com said.
The 'takeovers' are intended to raise awareness about mistreatment from the larger banks and to remind consumers there is a better way to bank. The new Kasasa way of banking is about supporting local economies and rewarding account holders for their deposits.
Click here for additional photos from the events.
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