The banking sector has a long history of working in cooperation with the Canadian Red Cross to raise funds for relief efforts during disasters. In additional to their own corporate donations, banks often make their branch networks available to accept financial donations from the public in support of Red Cross relief efforts in emergency situations both in Canada and internationally.

Accepting donations through the branch network has made it easier for Canadians to support Red Cross operations in Ukraine, Haiti and Lebanon as well as global COVID-19 relief efforts.

Within Canada, the banks have rallied to support communities affected by extreme weather events for many years, including the devastating impact of flooding and fires in British Columbia, flooding in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick and the Ottawa and Gatineau tornado.