Family Bank Best Practices Library
We assembled Family Bank best practices to help families begin their Family Banks. See how to start your family bank by using our simple guides.
Topic Areas
Values Education Lesson Plans
Videos
Introduction to Family Bank
This playlist of short videos introduces the concept of the family bank and helps people understand what it is, and why a family might consider it.
Basic Set-up
Founder Interview
A founder interview is used to create a founder biography. The biography is key feature of a Family Bank Website. It introduces future generations to the founder of their bank and explains why the founder wanted to create the bank
Introducing The Family Bank
The Family Bank can be a big change, thinking through how to introduce it can help your family to feel comfortable with the bank. This power point can help you think through how to bring family members into supporting the bank.
Making a Trust Agreement
This guide takes you through the essential decisions that need to be made to establish a Family Bank. By making these determinations ahead of time, you can save time and attorney fees. An attorney can help you frame your Family Bank decisions into legal language once you have decided how it should operate.
Creating a Family Bank Website
Follow this set of instructions to help you create a Family Bank Website. The two templates can be used and you can easily replace the stock image and content with your family’s photos and stories. The Family Bank Website is a resource hub to help your family connect and to help your family members use their Family Bank
Making a Family Bank Charter
The Family Bank Charter is a document that helps your family and bank board to understand how the bank operates. Think of it like the Bill of Rights of the Constitution. The charter spells out the rights and responsibilities for members of the Family Bank. It is a plain-language of your trust agreement.
Resources for Board Members
Welcome to Being a Board Member Letter
Read this letter to introduce you to your new role as a Family Bank Board Member. The letter explains your new role and the responsibilities that you will grow into.
Preparing for your first Bank Board Meeting
Taking your first steps towards becoming a Bank Board member can be intimidating. Use this checklist to prepare ahead of your first meeting. You can supplement this resource with a template first meeting agenda.
Board Member Orientation
New Board Members can learn in more detail about their new position and how to get started as board member by reading this slide deck. See the speaker notes for more detailed explanations.
Sample Bank Board Agenda
A sample agenda provides a starting point for your first meeting. You can use this sample and adapt it to the needs of your bank.
Administering Loans, Grants, and Gifts
For an explanation of how to administer loans, grants, and gifts, use this power point as a note-taking document. The details of how loans, grants, and gifts will work for your bank will be found in your charter agreement
Loan Administration
Loan Tracking Explainer
Board members can read this explainer that summarizes the loan process. The loan tracker is designed to track who is granted a loan, where that capital comes from, and how the payments can be tracked over time.
Personal Loan Application Template
Family members can apply for Family Bank loans by following this template. The template offers guidance on what to include in your application, though each bank will have different requirements for loan applications.
Loan Agreement Template
A Loan Contract is the agreement made between the Board and the family member after a loan is proposed and approved. This template can be used to create loan agreements for your bank.
Splitwise App as Loan Tracker
Splitwise is a free app which can be used to track expenses between individuals. If you enter a loan and accrued interest as “expenses”, you can use the app to facilitate and track payments. Premium features allow bank transfers and automatic recurring payments
Business Loan Application Template
Similar to the Personal Loan Template, this tool is intended for family members to apply for bank loans to support a business endeavor. The template explains what should be in a thorough application
Sample Loan Agreement
A Loan Contract is the agreement made between the Board and the family member after a loan is proposed and approved. The agreement is signed after both parties have had a chance to review and agree. This is a sample contract.
Loan Tracking Spreadsheet
The Loan Tracking tool offers a way to track and organize the loans in repayment. Board members are recommended to track loans for ease of administration and financial clarity.