The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT)—the largest state community banking association in the nation—has announced this year’s recipients of the organization’s Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards. The winners in the top categories will be honored on September 26 during the association’s 48th Annual Convention in Fort Worth.

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 community. 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: bank culture, community service, financial literacy, marketing, architectural design or pandemic response. Additional recognition is bestowed for Best of Show and Community Spirit.

Click here to view descriptions of all the winning BOCB entries, as well as videos, slide shows, photographs, media coverage and other materials provided by the banks in support of their submissions.

IBAT’s 2022 Best of Community Banking Award Recipients

Best of Show/Gold Eagle:

• Anahuac National Bank, Anahuac—bank culture: “Let’s Get to It!” program
• First National Bank Texas, Killeen—financial literacy: “Supporting the Financial Health of Our Community”

Community Spirit/Gold Eagle:

• Legend Bank, Bowie | Marketing: “Mascot Christmas Shopping Showdown”
• Ozona Bank, Wimberly | Community Service: Community Partnership with Matching Funds and Distribution
• Woodforest National Bank, Spring | Community Service: Woodforest and FHLB Dallas Community Investment Program Grant Support

Gold Eagle:

• Anahuac National Bank, Anahuac | Community Service: “45 Years of Service”
• Community National Bank & Trust of Texas, Corsicana | Bank Culture: “Expedition Towards Excellence”
• First National Bank, Wichita Falls | Architectural Design: Southlake Banking Center
• First State Bank, Gainesville | Bank Culture: “Next-Level Leadership Program”
• Lamar National Bank, Paris | Architectural Design: Northlake Branch Opening
• Lone Star National Bank, McAllen | Bank Culture: “Secret Teller”
• Lone Star National Bank, McAllen | Financial Literacy: “Cowboy Cash Saving Habits”
• Texas Partners Bank, San Antonio | Pandemic Response: “Powering Local Businesses”
• Texas Regional Bank, Harlingen | Financial Literacy: Financial Literacy Program

Silver Eagle:

• Alliance Bank, Sulphur Springs | Marketing: Online Banking Educational Video Series
• Citizens National Bank, Cameron | Community Service: “CNB Gives Back”
• Citizens State Bank, Woodville | Bank Culture: “102 Years of Building Relationships”
• Citizens State Bank, Woodville | Financial Literacy: “Financial Success” Program
• First National Bank Texas, Killeen | Community Service: “Community Service 2022”
• First State Bank, Gainesville | Community Service: March 2022 Tornado Response
• FirstBank Southwest, Amarillo | Bank Culture: “When We Say Our Culture is Everything We Do…We Mean Everything!”
• FirstCapital Bank of Texas, Midland | Community Service: “Banksgiving Project”
• Lamar National Bank, Paris | Architectural Design: Northlake Branch Opening
• Legend Bank, Bowie | Pandemic Response: “Snack Bar of Support”
• Texas Bank, Henderson | Architectural Design: Anna and Van Alstyne Branches
• Texas First Bank, Texas City | Architectural Design: “New Market. Fresh Start. Invested in Our New Beaumont Community
• Texas Partners Bank, San Antonio | Marketing: “Telling Our Story, Serving Our Communities”
• Veritex Community Bank, Dallas | Architectural Design: Dallas Park Central and Houston Brookhollow Operations

Bronze Eagle:

• Citizens National Bank, Cameron | Pandemic Response: “Helping Business Owners”
• First National Bank of Central Texas, Waco | Bank Culture: “First Cares”
• Veritex Community Bank, Dallas | Community Service: “Supporting Cedar Crest”