The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored McGregor-based TFNB Your Bank for Life with Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards. The bank received both a Gold Eagle and the “Best of Show” award, which is the competition’s top honor, for its community service program, Charity Champions.
TFNB created Charity Champions six years ago in celebration of its 125th anniversary. To recognize this milestone, bank leadership wanted to do something special for the community that would create an everlasting way to help those who help others on an ongoing basis—one of TFNB’s core values. From that vision, Charity Champions was born. Every year, six Central Texas nonprofits are chosen as Charity Champions. These worthy organizations are nominated by the community, and TFNB employees vote to select that year’s recipients. Champions then receive a full marketing awareness campaign, leadership development training and a team of interns all at no cost.
“We wanted to find a way to celebrate our 125th anniversary in a meaningful and lasting way,” says Jason Lavender, TFNB director of strategic initiatives. “The vision for Charity Champions was a natural extension of our organizational values as a community bank. Our entire organization takes pride in ‘helping those who help others,’ and we are thankful to be recognized by IBAT with such a prestigious award!”
This is the 29th year that IBAT has celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of Texas community banks with the BOCB Award. Community banks, such as TFNB, play a critical role in their local communities. The Best of Community Banking competition is designed to honor banks for their commitment to helping their customers, employees, neighbors 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 received a gold, silver or bronze award in one of five categories: bank culture, community service, financial literacy, marketing and architectural design.
The TFNB/Charity Champions initiative has recognized 43 nonprofits in its first seven seasons. Through different media outlets, digital channels, social media and Baylor athletic events, each Champion has visibility to more than 500,000 people. Additionally, the nonprofits receive fully produced videos, commercials and podcasts by the TFNB creative team. Lastly, all past and present Champions receive world-class leadership and development training throughout the year from TFNB partner 360 Solutions
“TFNB loves Central Texas and understands that it’s people who matter the most,” says David Littlewood, TFNB president and CEO. “It was our mission to establish an ongoing way to lift up and give back to our community. Charity Champions has been built around those ideals and from our perspective, we’re just getting started!”
All BOCB gold, silver and bronze submissions can be viewed here. A video outlining TFNB’s Charity Champions program can be viewed here. For more information about Charity Champions, email Jason Lavender or call 254/840-2836, ext. 3334.
Founded as The First National Bank of McGregor in 1889, TFNB is the oldest bank in McLennan County. It is also the seventh oldest national bank in Texas still operating under its original charter. As it expanded out of McGregor, it was important that the name reflected the bank’s wider scope. That is why it does business as TFNB Your Bank for Life. TFNB is full-service bank with four locations that serve Waco and the surrounding areas.
Formed in 1974, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas represents Texas community banks. The Austin-based group is the largest state community banking organization in the nation with membership comprised of more than 2,200 banks and branches in 700 Texas communities.
