In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored the 2026 top winners of its Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards. This year, 24 community banks participated in the program, with 42 entries receiving awards. Now in its 35th year, the Best of Community Banking Awards celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of IBAT member banks and the critical role they play in communities across Texas.
This year’s Best of Show winner was American National Bank of Texas in Terrell for its marketing entry “150 Years of Empowering Possible: Celebrating a Legacy of Community Banking While Building for the Future.” The 2026 BOCB Best of Show, Community Spirit and Gold Eagle Award recipients were recognized at IBAT’s Awards Luncheon on September 21, held as part of the organization’s 52nd Annual Convention in San Antonio, September 19–22.
“Community banks make a profound difference in the lives of their customers, neighbors and employees, while not seeking recognition. The Best of Community Banking Awards allow us to shine a light on these incredible efforts each year, celebrating the dedication and heart our banks bring not only to their work but to the communities they serve,” Christopher Williston, IBAT’s president and CEO, says.
IBAT has celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of Texas community banks with the BOCB Award since 1991. Community banks play a critical role in their local communities. The Best of Community Banking competition is designed to honor these banks for their commitment to helping their customers, neighbors, employees and communities. BOCB Awards recognize community banks throughout the state for their innovation, creativity and success in fulfilling a specific community or internal need.
Each submission receives a Gold Eagle, Silver Eagle or Bronze Eagle award in one of six categories: architectural design, bank culture, community service, financial literacy, innovation and marketing. Additional recognition is bestowed for Best of Show and Community Spirit.
Best of Show:
- American National Bank of Texas, Terrell | Marketing: 150 Years of Empowering Possible: Celebrating a Legacy of Community Banking While Building for the Future
Community Spirit:
- FirstBank Southwest, Amarillo | Bank Culture: Faith Family Bank Fund
Gold Eagle:
- Citizens State Bank, Somerville | Marketing: Centennial Celebration
- First National Bank Texas, Killeen | Innovation: Flex Account
- First National Bank Texas, Killeen | Marketing: 125 Years of Service
- Kleberg Bank, Kingsville | Community Service: Community Builder Program
- Legend Bank, Bowie | Marketing: Bank Hard
- Llano National Bank, Llano | Architectural Design: New Branch in Marble Falls
- Lone Star National Bank, McAllen | Innovation: LSNB Advantage Small-Business Education Program
- PrimeBank of Texas, Austin | Community Service: PrimeBank Invests in the Community
- Cornerstone Capital Bank and Roscoe Bank, Roscoe | Community Service: 120th Celebration Giveback Program
- Texas Regional Bank, Harlingen | Community Service: 10,000 in 2025: Strategic Volunteerism at Texas Regional Bank
Silver Eagle:
- American National Bank & Trust, Wichita Falls | Architectural Design: Growing Together: New Branch Openings in Roanoke & Dallas
- American National Bank of Texas, Terrell | Architectural Design: Building on a Legacy: How ANBTX's Heath Banking Center Honors the Past While Shaping the Future
- Bank of the West, Grapevine | Community Service: Boots on Main Street
- Bank of the West, Grapevine | Community Service: GSB's Homeowner Assistance Program
- Clear Fork Bank, Albany | Architectural Design: Clear Fork Bank, Mineral Wells Branch
- Community National Bank, Midland | Bank Culture: #WeAreCommunity: Building a Culture of Connection, Belonging, and Purpose
- Community National Bank, Midland | Community Service: #WeAreCommunity: Turning Service into Culture
- First National Bank of Central Texas, Waco | Architectural Design: Building for the Future: FNBCT Opens Flagship College Station Banking Center
- First National Bank Texas, Killeen | Community Service: Power of Change Campaign
- First National Bank Texas, Killeen | Financial Literacy: Beyond Lemonade Day: Oscar's Market - Growing Entrepreneurship Through Financial Literacy
- First United Bank, Dimmitt | Community Service: Fueling Educators, Strengthening Communities
- Hill Country National Bank (A Division of Llano National Bank), Llano | Marketing: Brand Evolution Rooted in Community
- Legend Bank, Bowie | Architectural Design: Legend Bank Bonham Branch Construction
- Lone Star National Bank, McAllen | Marketing: LSNB Local Highlights
- Lone Star National Bank, McAllen | Financial Literacy: Building Brighter Financial Futures
- Lone Star National Bank, McAllen | Community Service: We Are LSNB
- PrimeBank of Texas, Austin | Financial Literacy: PrimeBank Invests in Financial Literacy
- Texas Regional Bank, Harlingen | Marketing: “Here Is Your Quarter Back”: How TRB Leveraged NIL
- The Bank and Trust SSB, Kerrville | Architectural Design: A Purpose-Built Financial Center Defined by Enduring Design and Community
- Western Bank, Lubbock | Marketing: Two Stories. One Small Town.
- Woodforest National Bank, The Woodlands | Community Service: Band Together Texas: Turning Devastation into Hope in the Texas Hill Country
Bronze Eagle:
- City National Bank, Colorado City | Marketing: City National Bank Celebrates 125 Years!
- Classic Bank NA, Cameron | Marketing: Turning New Accounts Into Community Impact
- Classic Bank NA, Cameron | Community Service: Community Chest: Powered by Employees, Focused on Community
- First National Bank Texas, Killeen | Architectural Design: Conroe East Davis Banking Center Remodel
- First National Bank Texas, Killeen | Bank Culture: CRA Academy
- Lone Star National Bank, McAllen | Bank Culture: The Lone Star Way
- Maverick Bank, Lubbock | Architectural Design: Modernizing a Legacy Institution: Maverick Bank's Transformation from Historic Community Bank to Regional Growth Leader
- PointBank, Argyle | Community Service: All in for Education
- TXN Bank, Hondo | Marketing: “Free Checking/Cuenta de Cheques Gratis”
Click here to view descriptions of all the winning 2026 BOCB entries, as well as videos, slide shows, photographs, media coverage and other materials provided by the banks in support of their submissions.
Pictured above: American National Bank of Texas’ Robert Hulsey, Bill Russell, Andrew Yenne and Manuela Rivera
