May 08, 2025
Posted in Community News
Virginia National Bank (VNB) is thrilled to announce that Ibtihal Hanna, a Fairfax High School senior, has been selected as the VBA Bank Day Scholarship Program’s Northern Virginia Region Winner. As such Ibtihal has been awarded a $2,500 college scholarship and has been entered into the statewide contest.
This past March, VNB hosted Ibtihal and 59 other students as part of the VBA Bank Day Scholarship Program sponsored by the Virginia Bankers Association Education Foundation. Through this program, students learn about banking, financial services, career opportunities and the vital role banks play in their communities from local banks and credit unions.
The third Tuesday in March was declared Bank Day by the Virginia General Assembly in 1991 and this year VNB was proud to be a host for this important program. From their experience, participating students wrote an essay for the chance to win a scholarship. In all, twelve students statewide will receive scholarships totaling $28,500.
Each of the six regional winners receives a $2,500 college scholarship. These students are then entered into a statewide contest for a chance to win an additional $2,500 or $5,000 scholarship as the statewide runner-up or overall statewide winner. There are also six honorable-mention winners, each of whom receives a $1,000 college scholarship.
VNB wishes to congratulate each of the students awarded regional scholarships:
- Capitol Region Winner: Ayla Zook, King George High School, Hosted by C&F Bank
- Capitol Region Honorable Mention Winner: Parker Wells, John Randolph Tucker High School, Hosted by Atlantic Union Bank
- Central/Southside Region Winner: Grace Fleshman, Rockbridge County High School, Hosted by Bank of Botetourt
- Central/Southside Region Honorable Mention Winner: Lucy Adams, Jefferson Forest High School, Hosted by The Farmers Bank of Appomattox
- Eastern Virginia Region Winner: Julia Diggs, Kecoughtan High School, Hosted by Old Point National Bank
- Eastern Virginia Region Honorable Mention Winner: Ashley Soto, Poquoson High School, Hosted by C&F Bank
- Northern Virginia Region Winner: Ibtihal Hanna, Fairfax High School, Hosted by Virginia National Bank
- Northern Virginia Region Honorable Mention Winner: Johnathan Johnson, Culpeper County High School, Hosted by Oak View National Bank
- Valley Region Winner: Kieran Lackey, Staunton High School, Hosted by Pendleton Community Bank
- Valley Region Honorable Mention Winner: Iris Chen, Wilson Memorial High School, Hosted by Pendleton Community Bank
- Southwest Virginia Region Winner: Brenna Green, Abingdon High School, Hosted by First Bank & Trust Co.
- Southwest Virginia Region Honorable Mention Winner: Kyleigh Harmon, Eastside High School, Hosted by New Peoples Bank
Read an excerpt from Ibtihal’s award-winning essay:
February 07, 2025
Virginia National Bank (VNB) cares about the welfare of our clients, which is why we say, “It’s all about people . . . and always will be.” We want you to remember to be vigilant.
The more you know, the safer you’ll be:
- While digital payment applications are an effective and quick way to send funds, you should only use digital payment applications to send funds to people you know and can verify their identity.
- VNB will never ask you to send payments anywhere.
- If you are asked to purchase gift cards, STOP. Ask yourself, “why do they need gift cards” or “do I know this person.”
- If a deal is too good to be true, it may be fraud. Do your due diligence before purchasing or sending a digital payment. Always know who you are buying from or selling to.
- VNB will never ask you for your Personal Identification Number (PIN) or security codes.
- VNB will never request your bank account information and your personal information once your account is opened.
- Beware of unsolicited calls, texts, or e-mails claiming to represent a financial institution, a government agency, or a charity. Often, these are attempts to steal your private information.
- Fraudsters can initiate “Vishing” attempts, which mimic phone numbers and voices to trick unsuspecting people into revealing personal information. When in doubt, hang up. Call directly.
- Avoid being a victim of check fraud by reviewing checks that are clearing your account on a daily basis. Stay vigilant for checks that have been written and not negotiated.
- Avoid pop ups that claim to have a computer security breach. Pop ups are an easy way for fraudsters to gain access to your information.
Do you think you might be a victim of fraud? If you are concerned with potential fraud, please reach out to our Client Care Center at 877.817.8621 or contact us here.
Be safe. Be vigilant.
