The 15th annual ICBA National Community Bank Service Awards honor three community banks
for dedication to local communities and citizens
Washington, D.C. (Aug. 2, 2016)—Community banks across America create and participate in a wide range of service programs that support local residents and communities. The community banks recognized by the 2016 ICBA National Community Bank Service Awards program have established some of the most creative community service programs in the nation. This year’s award recipients operate community service programs that provide free or low-cost solar energy to poor families, creatively promote local shopping and spending, and offer door-to-door banking services for seniors.
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) established the National Community Bank Service Awards 15 years ago to celebrate the outstanding volunteer efforts of the nation’s community banks. This year, three community banks were selected from 200 nominations for their creative and impactful service and economic empowerment programs.
“Community banks have a proud tradition of volunteer service in their communities; lending a hand where most needed,” said ICBA President and CEO Camden R. Fine. “It is an honor and a privilege to shine a light on this year’s award recipients whose extraordinary and generous acts of charity uplift us all.”
The 2016 ICBA National Community Bank Service Awards winners are:
Grand National Award:
- Alpine Bank, Glenwood Springs, Colo.
National Awards:
- Woodlands Bank, Williamsport, Pa.
- Capitol Bank, Madison, Wis.
Grand National Award
As the Grand National Award recipient, $2.8 billion-asset Alpine Bank in Glenwood Springs, Colo. is recognized for its many contributions to green energy production. The bank has invested $896,480 in 1,092 solar panels from five different community solar projects since the project’s inception in 2014. Its Green Team Committee, comprised of 30 employees, meets quarterly to set environmental project priorities.
Alpine Bank purchased 82 solar panels from Boulder, Colo.-based Clean Energy Collective to help create a community solar garden. The bank subsequently donated its ownership of the panels to the Family and Intercultural Resource Center, a local nonprofit that helps subsidize the energy bills for local families in need.
National Award
Woodlands Bank in Williamsport, Pa. ($390 million in assets) is recognized for its social media campaign encouraging residents to Get Local, Give Local and Go Local by supporting area businesses and nonprofits. As part of its campaign, the bank identified four local nonprofits representing four different areas of need in the community—shelter, food, youth development and clothing—and provided monetary support when customers opened an account or interacted with the bank’s Facebook page. More than 9,500 meals, 100 nights of shelter, 90 outfits and 1,000 hours of activities were generated during the three-month campaign.
Capitol Bank in Madison, Wis. ($310-million assets) is recognized for its Traveling Banker initiative led by Jim Wermuth, a part-time employee at Capitol Bank who visits 13 area retirement communities to help senior citizens with various banking services. As a result of this program, the assisted-living facilities are registered with the FDIC as branches of the bank and safeguard $6 million to $7 million in deposits.
“We honor these banks by sharing their story and applauding their significant works for their community,” said ICBA Chairman Rebeca Romero Rainey, chairman and CEO of First Bank of Centinel Bank of Taos, N.M. “They join more than 100 community banks and employees recognized by ICBA’s Community Bank Service Awards since 2002 for lending a helping hand and helping to spur economic prosperity.”
This year’s program, sponsored by bank technology services provider FIS in Jacksonville, Fla., also awarded honorable mentions to:
- First Security Bank in Batesville, Miss., for its Children’s Savings program
- First City Bank of Florida in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., for its Fresh Start program
- Brady National Bank in Brady, Texas for its Ribs for a Cause program
- First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. in Bloomsburg, Pa., for its Tech Theater Production program
- United Community Bank of North Dakota in Minot, N.D. for its PJs, Popcorn and Story Time program
To read more about the award winners and the dedicated service they provide to their local communities, visit ICBA’s Independent Banker® magazine’s website at www.independentbanker.org.
About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America®, the nation’s voice for more than 6,000 community banks of all sizes and charter types, is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education and high-quality products and services.
