I never thought of a bank as being a good Boy Scout.

Not only did Provident Bank receive a Good Scout Award for its volunteer work and donations to charitable organizations from the Dan Beard Council, but the bank received an "outstanding" rating from bank regulators for its commitment to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).

The bank received the rating based on financial involvement with the Alexandra Apartments, an 83-unit, low-income housing development for the elderly in Walnut Hills; Huffman Senior Apartments, an 86-unit complex in the historic Dayton Street Neighborhood; and the Economic Learning Center in South Cumminsville.

The CRA program is governed by the Federal Reserve, which includes a mandatory examination of each bank branch every 18 to 24 months.

The exam focuses on lending practices, service and investments.

"In the spirit of CRA, the Provident Bank will continue to make significant contributions in revitalizing our neighborhoods," said Amin Abkar, senior vice president of corporate community development at Provident.

The 29th Annual Lucille Chenault Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons' Ball is noon to 6 p.m. today in Hall C of the Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center.

The event is sponsored by the Progressive Senior Citizens Club.

For information, call 569-1840, ext. 55.

Allen Howard's "Some Good News'' column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.