AL Political Reporter: “Regions spokesman Jeremy King told APR by phone Saturday that the decision came after company executive met Tuesday with representatives from Black Lives Matter Birmingham, Faith in Works and Alabama Students Against Prisons.
Those groups had asked the bank to stop doing business with CoreCivic, which is set to build two of Alabama’s three new planned prisons, in Escambia and Elmore counties.
“We listened to feedback and comments from Black Lives Matter of Birmingham, along with other organizations, and then continued this conversation internally, as well as with additional outreach to Cara McClure from Black Lives Matter of Birmingham,” King said.
King said the decision was made not to extend additional credit services to CoreCivic beyond the current contract.
“We’re also specifically not providing CoreCivic with financing for the prisons that CoreCivic is going to build in the state,” King said.
“To be clear, Regions Bank is 100% committed to creating more inclusive prosperity and advancing racial equity,” Regions said in a statement on Saturday. “This past Tuesday, Jan. 26, we met with the Black Lives Matter Birmingham Chapter and other organizations to receive feedback on the issue of private prisons. We listened closely to concerns that were shared, and we appreciate the candid feedback we received.””