In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored the 2025 top winners of its Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards. McAllen-based Lone Star National Bank won Best of Show for its community service entry “Starr County Volunteerism.” The 2025 BOCB Best of Show, Community Spirit and Gold Eagle Award recipients were recognized at IBAT’s Awards Luncheon on September 22, held as part of the organization’s 51st Annual Convention in Fort Worth, September 20–23.
“Community banks do so much for their customers, neighbors and employees but aren’t interested in receiving credit for these efforts,” says Christopher Williston, IBAT president and CEO. “The Best of Community Banking Awards give us an opportunity each year to recognize our banks’ tremendous efforts—both in their banks and in their communities—to better the lives of those around them.”
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 innovation. Additional recognition is bestowed for Best of Show and Community Spirit.
With 33 banking centers across South Texas, volunteerism is central to Best of Show winner Lone Star National Bank’s identity. In 2024, employees contributed more than 8,000 volunteer hours through school partnerships, civic events, food drives and educational initiatives, while the bank donated more than $1 million in sponsorships and 11,000 pounds of food to local families. Lone Star National Bank’s mascot, Cowboy Cash, celebrated 17 years last year and remains a beloved community icon. More than a marketing figure, Cowboy Cash connects generations and industries, participating in schools, nonprofits, financial education programs and city festivals. The bank also champions its clients, featuring them on social media and through “Lunch & Learn” Small-Business Seminars, which have welcomed more than 300 attendees. Financial literacy remains a cornerstone of the bank’s mission, as well. In 2024, its bilingual outreach team participated in more than 100 events, reaching nearly 30,000 people with practical, age-appropriate lessons that strengthen families and communities.
“Vista Bank is honored to receive this distinguished award,” notes John D. Steinmetz, the bank’s president and CEO. “That said, this is exactly the type of work that all commercial banks should be engaged in, providing both training and access to capital for qualified loans and teaching underserved entrepreneurs who are willing to put in the work how to fish while providing a ‘quality pond’ for them to fish from.”
IBAT’s 2025 Best of Community Banking Award Recipients
Best of Show:
- Lone Star National Bank, McAllen | Community Service: Starr County Volunteerism
Community Spirit/Gold Eagle:
- First National Bank Texas, Killeen | Community Service: Better Banking Pilot-BankOn Houston
- TexasBank, Brownwood | Marketing: TexasBank Touchdown
Gold Eagle:
- First Bank Texas, Willow Park | Marketing: Mobile Branch
- First National Bank, Anson | Architectural Design: Back in Business—Breathing New Life into 1959 Bank Landmark
- First National Bank Texas, Killeen | Financial Literacy: 15 Years of Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs—Lemonade Day Fort Cavazos Area
- Legend Bank, Bowie | Bank Culture: Don’t Gamble with Your Health, Lucky 7 Wellness Challenge
- Legend Bank, Bowie | Marketing: It’s a Wonderful Bank Christmas Video
- Lone Star National Bank, McAllen | Innovation: Cowboy Cash
- PointBank, Pilot Point | Marketing: It’s Not Just Banking. It’s PointBanking!
- Texas First Bank, Texas City | Bank Culture: Uniting Our Team for the Future
- Vista Bank, Dallas | Financial Literacy: Path to Yes Program and Financial Literacy Center
Silver Eagle:
- Citizens State Bank, Woodville (Valley Ranch Branch) | Architectural Design: CSB Valley Ranch
- First Bank Texas, Willow Park | Community Service: Education Foundation Support
- FirstBank Southwest, Amarillo | Bank Culture: Connections Crew
- FirstBank Southwest, Amarillo | Community Service: Pie It Forward
- Keystone Bank, Austin | Community Service: Keystone Cares—Service That Starts from the Top
- Keystone Bank, Austin | Financial Literacy: Grassroots Financial Education Initiative
- Lone Star National Bank, McAllen | Marketing: Client Testimonials
- Texas Regional Bank, Harlingen | Bank Culture: Fifteen Years of The People You Know—Building a Winning Team
Bronze Eagle:
- Brenham National Bank, College Station (Caprock Branch) | Architectural Design: Rooted in Texas, Built for Tomorrow
- First National Bank of Central Texas, Waco (Gatesville Branch) | Architectural Design: Building More Than a Branch—FNBCT’s Gatesville Expansion
- Guaranty Bank & Trust, Mount Pleasant | Bank Culture: Guaranty Culture—Our Employees Are Our Greatest Asset
- Lone Star National Bank, McAllen | Financial Literacy: Financial Literacy
- Veritex Community Bank, Dallas | Marketing: Fueling Growth, Backing Dreams
- Woodforest National Bank, The Woodlands | Innovation: Addressing the Affordable Housing Crisis Nationally & Chronic Homelessness in Houston
Click here to view descriptions of all the winning 2025 BOCB entries, as well as videos, slide shows, photographs, media coverage and other materials provided by the banks in support of their submissions.
