Primis Works: Supporting Banking Careers for Single Mothers

Kristina Giles had hit a wall. It was 2024, and after ending her 12-year career teaching preschool and elementary kids, she wasn’t sure what her next step would be.

“I was lost and confused,” says Giles. “Teaching was my bread and butter. I felt like I wasn’t doing anything purposeful anymore. I was like, ‘I don’t know what to do to find my purpose again.’” 

Her social worker suggested applying to Primis Works, a four-month, full-time, paid internship for single mothers offered by Primis Bank, a $4 billion-asset community bank in Glen Allen, Virginia.     

“I feel like life has a way of putting you where you need to be,” says Giles, who applied and was accepted into the Primis Works internship program that ran from August to December 2024. “The program definitely helped me find myself and my passion again. I had been teaching for 12 years, so in my mind, that’s all I was capable of. I put myself in a box. The program helped me come out of that box and helped me grow and learn.”

Laying a strong foundation

Primis Works was inspired by Primis Bank CEO Dennis Zember’s personal experience. Growing up with a single grandmother, he remembers the kindness shown by neighbors who offered her an apartment and resources to help her succeed. Now, Zember is returning the favor to single mothers in his community.  

“It’s about removing barriers, creating opportunities and helping single mothers to build lasting careers that help brighten futures for themselves and their children,” says Primis Works manager Markeia Toney. 

From the 50 or so applications the bank receives for each of the two program sessions held each year, it selects up to four women. 

“The intention of having a small cohort is to ensure that the participants receive the attention and the resources needed to truly transform their career path,” says Toney. The only eligibility requirements are that applicants must be single mothers, have a high school diploma or GED, and pass a background check. No banking experience is required.  

Throughout the course of the internship, the associates, as they’re called, rotate through the bank’s departments, receiving extensive training in areas like loan operations, customer care, deposit operations, compliance analysis and money laundering prevention. 

Banking “was never on my radar,” says Sherryl T Jackson, a former commercial real estate analyst who graduated from the Primis Works program in May. “Aside from learning the banking industry, I think the biggest thing I learned was about myself—that anything’s possible. Sometimes change can be daunting, but Primis Works gives you the environment and all of the tools and resources to be able to take on the challenge and to come out successful.”

Important partnerships

Beyond bank training and education, more than 50 community partners offer personal and professional development to program participants, from resume assistance and personal budgeting to mental wellness. 

“They’re not just learning about banking,” says Toney. “We’re creating long-term stability, not just for the associates but for their families [and] their children.”

Associates also receive full benefits from day one, including healthcare coverage, paid time off, a 401(k) employer match and 100% paid childcare for the duration of the program. 

“It takes a village to raise not only kids but adults, too. We all need people,” says Giles, who has a 13-year-old son. “When you’re raising a child by yourself, you kind of feel alone. But by coming to this program, I gained a career, I gained so much experience, I gained free time with my son and I gained a community as well. People actually care.”

A mutually beneficial program

Since its founding in 2021, Primis Works has grown significantly. Nine community partners have turned into 50 that continue to offer guidance and networking opportunities even after the program ends. 

Having just completed its 10th cohort, the program has graduated 28 women, nearly half of whom have gone on to apply for and accept permanent positions with the community bank. These employees include Giles and Jackson, who both now work in the deposit operations department.  

“Moving into a second career and being a little bit older, I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to find an opportunity,” says Jackson, who has a 13-year-old son. "But [Primis Works] really gave me hope to know that I can have a successful career. I can do something that I enjoy doing. I can get up every day and be excited to go into the office and work with my colleagues. My family is doing a lot better because I’m in a better place.” 

In addition to serving as a career launchpad for associates, Primis Works acts as a powerful recruiting tool for the bank. 

“We’re building a pipeline of motivated individuals, of those who have career-ready talent,” says Toney. “It’s deepening the connection that we have within our community.”

As graduates of Primis Works, Giles and Jackson now can mentor and educate other women who come through the program.  

“I feel like I’m in a good spot
where I’m making a difference,” says Giles. “I’m not just passing by; I’m actually doing something that’s worthwhile, that is one small piece of a bigger puzzle. I’m an important part of that.”