02/18/26

OBL is proud to announce a new partnership with the Ohio Attorney General's Office and the Ohio Health Care Association as part of a coordinated statewide effort to combat elder abuse and financial exploitation.

Announced by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, the initiative brings together frontline professionals, including bankers, health-care providers, and pharmacists, to increase awareness, strengthen training, and improve reporting of suspected abuse.

Why This Matters to Banks

Financial institutions are uniquely positioned to serve as a first line of defense against elder financial exploitation. Bank employees often recognize early warning signs such as:

• Unusual or sudden large withdrawals

• Changes in long-standing financial patterns

• Suspicious wire transfers

• New individuals exerting influence over an older customer’s account

With reports of elder abuse in Ohio increasing dramatically in recent years, proactive engagement from the banking industry is critical. Through this partnership, OBL will help equip member banks with additional resources, training opportunities, and educational materials to better identify and respond to potential exploitation.

What the Partnership Includes

• Enhanced training focused on recognizing red flags of elder abuse and financial fraud

• Educational materials that can be shared with customers and communities

• Expanded outreach through member networks and public-facing platforms to encourage reporting

OBL President and CEO Mike Adelman emphasized that protecting older Ohioans is both a responsibility and a priority for the industry.

This collaboration sends a clear message: Ohio’s banks stand shoulder-to-shoulder with state leaders and community partners to safeguard vulnerable adults.

OBL will continue to share updates, training information, and resources with members as this initiative moves forward.