The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) has announced this year’s recipients of its coveted Five*Star Award: IntraFi (tier 1), Ncontracts (tier 2) and Whitley Penn LLP (tier 3). These three IBAT associate members—based on company size—were honored during the association’s 2026 IBAT Connecting Leaders Conference, June 25–27 at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock.
Since 2002, IBAT’s Five*Star Award has recognized associate members that routinely provide excellent service and innovative solutions to help community banks grow, enhance profits and gain efficiency. One award is given in each of three categories, which are based on the number of employees. To be considered for the Five*Star Award, an IBAT associate member earns engagement points gained through participation in IBAT and industry-related events. IBAT member banks then vote to determine the winner in each category. Criteria used to determine this year’s winners include service excellence, human relationships, integrity, commitment to the community banking industry and exceptional value to the banks they serve.
Listed below are the 2026 Five*Star Award finalists in three tiers according to company size, with the winners in boldface:
- Tier 1: IntraFi, Advantage Health Plans Trust; and Kristopher James Company.
- Tier 2: Ncontracts, DCI (Data Center Inc.) and Purple Wave Auction.
- Tier 3: Whitley Penn LLP, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllenLLP) and Eide Bailly LLP.
Formed in 1974, IBAT represents Texas community banks. The Austin-based group is the largest state community banking organization in the nation, with membership comprised of more than 4,600 banks and branches in 700 Texas communities.
