Brian Moynihan receives UNC Charlotte Distinguished Service Award
Brian Moynihan, chair and chief executive officer of Bank of America, one of the nation’s largest financial institutions, is the 2026 recipient of the UNC Charlotte Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by the University. Moynihan was honored Monday, March 30, during a special luncheon in the Popp Martin Student Union.
“Brian Moynihan exemplifies the highest standards of leadership, service and impact,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “His commitment to expanding economic opportunity and strengthening civic institutions reflects the very qualities we honor through the Distinguished Service Award. UNC Charlotte is proud to recognize Brian for his extraordinary contributions and the example he sets for our students, our city and our state.”
Moynihan leads a global team of more than 210,000 employees dedicated to improving financial lives for individuals, businesses and institutions worldwide. Under his direction, Bank of America continues to be recognized as a leader in financial services. In 2025, the company was named one of Time Magazine’s World’s Best Companies.
Beyond his corporate leadership, Moynihan serves as a member of the advisory council for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Appeal of Conscience Board of Trustees. He also works with public officials, businesses and civic leaders at the local level through his participation on the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council, the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership and the Partnership for Rhode Island.
At UNC Charlotte, Bank of America has invested more than $10.6 million over the past three decades, strengthening programs that support student success, faculty excellence and community impact.
The bank’s longstanding partnership with the University, dating back to 1960, includes support for endowed professorships, research collaborations and academic initiatives in areas such as security analytics, as well as deep volunteer engagement across the University. Recent investments have advanced the Community Innovation Incubator and expanded the University Transition Opportunities Program (UTOP), which helps incoming students thrive at UNC Charlotte.
The Distinguished Service Award, established in 1987 by the Board of Trustees of UNC Charlotte and the Board of Directors of the University Foundation, honors those who have provided outstanding leadership and exemplary service to the Charlotte community and to the advancement of UNC Charlotte. Award recipients receive a statue of “The 49er Miner,” cast from a sculpture by Lorenzo Ghiglieri.