August 15, 2012 — Today, thousands of consumers lined up at select gas stations around the country as small-town bankers gave away $40,000 worth of gasoline in an effort energize consumers to “Take Back Your Banking” from the megabanks.

The ‘takeovers’ took place in ten U.S. cities — New York, Baltimore, Memphis, Portland, St. Louis, New Orleans, Little Rock, Lake Charles, Lima, and Jackson. Lines were estimated to be more than a mile long at a number of locations.

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 gas prices reaching a pain point for American consumers, the giveaway highlighted small-town bankers’ efforts to give back to their communities.

B-Roll footage of the various activities is available. Community banks and credit union spokespeople are also on hand for interviews.

More “Take Back Your Banking” gas station events are scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday, August 16th) between 9-11 a.m. local time in the following cities:

Atlanta, Georgia (Shell Food Mart, 1790 Howell Mill Road Northwest, 30318)
Washington D.C. (Beltway Plaza Shell, 5550 Greenbelt Road, 20740)
Chicago, Illinois (Mobil Gas Station, 4540 South Pulaski Road, 60632)
Jersey City, New Jersey (Exxon Gas Station, 2379 John F Kennedy Blvd West, 07304)
Columbus, Ohio (Shell Gas Station, 6790 Sawmill Rd, 43235)
Dallas, Texas (RL Thornton Shell Gas Station, 3100 West Mockingbird Lane, 75235)
Minneapolis, Minnesota (Mobil Gas Station, 1221 Washington Ave South, 55415)
Kansas City, Missouri (Gas Mart USA, 1203 Armour Rd, 64116)
Chattanooga, Tennessee (Corner Store, 1998 Dayton Boulevard, 37415)
Lafayette, Louisiana (East University Chevron, 1011 E University Ave, 70501)
The ‘takeovers’ are intended to raise awareness about mistreatment from the megabanks 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 hard-earned deposits.

Over the course of two days, community banks and credit unions in 20 cities will have given away $80,000 worth of gasoline.

To speak with a national spokesperson, contact Katie Weathers, kweathers@csg-pr.com, 404.791.8245. To get in contact with a participating community bank or credit union, contact Andra Lewis, alewis@csg-pr.com, 480.250.3447.