Community banks reach out to survivors of the tsunami.(ACB news)

Following the natural disaster that struck Southeast Asia on Dec. 26, 2004, MetroBank N.A., an $897 million-asset institution in Houston, took immediate steps to help with relief efforts.

"The earthquake and tsunami that struck South Asia with so much force has caused untold suffering in that region of the world," said George Lee, chief executive officer of MetroCorp Bancshares, the parent company of MetroBank. "As our bank has strong ties to Asia, we support the many communities in Houston and Dallas who feel compelled to make a significant contribution to this global relief effort."

Seventy-five percent of the bank's customers are Asian, and many bank employees and customers have relatives living in the affected areas.

"We decided to jump in and work with the Red Cross right away," Lee said. The bank's chairman, its president, and Lee joined forces to contribute $10,000 to a relief fund, which the bank matched dollar for dollar as part of its commitment to provide up to $50,000 in matching funds. At press time, the bank had raised roughly $35,000.

"Community outreach in times of extraordinary emergency is critical, and MetroBank is anxious to provide support for the relief effort in the best way we can," Lee said. MetroBank is also looking to provide funds to other organizations helping with tsunami relief.

MetroBank has targeted the majority of its fundraising efforts at the Asian community, making use of Asian newspapers and radio stations. Currently, the bank is beginning to air mainstream radio and TV public service announcement spots for the tsunami relief fund.

"We really want to sustain this program for the entire year. It's also made us think about the possibility of creating a special relief fund that would be ready to help in any international crisis," Lee said.