On June 1, Independent Banker magazine, the award-winning monthly publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), announced its list of 40 Under 40: Emerging Community Bank Leaders. The award recognizes up-and-coming innovators, influencers and civic servants that represent the future of community banking. The feature story in the June issue of Independent Banker highlights how the 40 Under 40 honorees have overcome challenges and answered calls for innovation while staying true to the guiding principles of relationship banking that set community banking apart from others in the financial services space. Candidates were judged on character, leadership, community involvement and innovation.

The winners were organized into the following community banking categories: marketers, paycheck protection program champions, innovative leaders, customer and community service advocates, and lenders and mentors.

Kristyn Scheriger, vice president/credit operations officer at Ciera Bank in Fort Worth, is the lone banker on the list from the Lone Star State. Independent Banker notes that “Scheriger never stops searching for ways to add value to her independent bank and customers. She spearheaded the adoption of a new cloud-based operating system by becoming a system expert and developing training for bank staff, ensuring the smooth implementation and ongoing utilization of the system.”

Scheriger joined Ciera Bank in 2014 after graduating summa cum laude with her BBA degree in finance from the University of Texas–Arlington. She is also a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.

“ICBA congratulates and recognizes the success of these exemplary community bankers for their innovative spirit, along with their hard work and dedication as they continue to grow their potential and impact as community bankers,” says Rebeca Romero Rainey, ICBA president and CEO. “Their determination and commitment to the values of community banking continue to make a positive impact on the customers and communities they serve.”

Ensuring tomorrow’s leaders are well-positioned to address today’s real-world challenges is central to ICBA’s mission of creating and promoting an environment where community banks flourish. This foundation is also the impetus behind ICBA’s LEAD FWD Summit, a two-day leadership conference, scheduled for September 12 and 13 in Fort Worth. The event is designed to cultivate community bank talent and features the latest thought leadership on a range of topics that offer market-tested strategies for improved bank performance and enhanced customer service.

“We strive to contribute to the education and success of community banking leaders, which is why we consider it so important to highlight these honorees with our 40 under 40 Awards,” says Lindsay LaNore, ICBA Group executive vice president of Community Banker University. “We will continue to offer top-quality and suitable educational courses in support of our community banking members and the urban, suburban and rural communities across America they serve.”