Independent Banker magazine published its list of the 2021 “Best Community Banks to Work For” in its December issue. Five community banks across the U.S. made the list, each according to the bank’s asset size, and two of the five are headquartered in Texas: Corsicana-based Community Bank & Trust of Texas and Gainesville-based First State Bank.

“Community banks have always valued relationships and trust, so it’s no wonder they foster work environments that encourage a collegial, family-like culture while valuing professional development, creativity, accountability and dedication,” says Rebeca Romero Rainey, president of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), which publishes Independent Banker. “ICBA proudly recognizes this year’s honorees for creating a culture of success through employee empowerment and adherence to community banking principles rooted in service to employees, customers and the community.”

Participating community banks were sorted by asset category (using March 31, 2021 call report data) and ranked based on the results of a nationwide survey, administered by Avannis, an independent research agency, of more than 3,450 full-time community bank employees. Banks that received a 40 percent employee participation rate or higher were eligible for recognition. Key criteria considered in selecting this year’s honorees included:

• A diverse and inclusive workplace that develops leadership skills, encourages teamwork and provides a forum to share ideas for improved bank performance.
• Opportunities for employee advancement, allowing for the development of key skills to serve as effective advocates for customers in helping them achieve their financial goals.
• Performance standards and recognition, including competitive and equitable salaries with results-oriented goals and objectives.

Community National Bank & Trust of Texas was named “Best Bank to Work For” with an asset size between $750 million and $999 million.

“When employees at Community National Bank & Trust of Texas think they have a better way to do something, management listens,” Independent Banker notes. “In fact, the $968 million-asset community bank…has two employee committees, the Operations Advisory and the Focus Forward Group, that consider new ideas. The respect that the community bank’s leaders show for employees’ suggestions is just one reason [the bank] was selected as a 2021 Best Community Bank to Work For. Other key reasons are its generous benefits package and healthy work-life balance.”

“Part of our culture is that sometimes the bank might require more of your time, but other times not, and if it doesn’t, you don’t need to be here,” Rusty Hitt, CEO, told Independent Banker. “If it’s 3:30 and nothing is going on, go check on your kids.”

Michelle Fonseca, cultural ambassador for the bank, points out that “there is only one single month that we don’t recognize someone who has been here for over 20 years. For me, that speaks volumes.”

First State Bank topped the list for banks with assets of $1 billion or more.

In 2008, with gas prices at a record high and the economy fumbling toward a financial crisis, First State Bank’s board of directors announced that it was providing all employees with a “summer fun package”: $150 a month for four months. “You are our most valuable assets, and we hope to make summer a little brighter for all of you,” Ryan Morris, CEO, informed his employees in a letter announcing the summer fun.

“There are a lot of companies that talk about work and family values, but not many really live it,” Morris, a fifth-generation community banker at the 116-year-old, family-owned bank, tells Independent Banker. “We’re a family of bankers, and we really do treat our employees as family.”

“When the pandemic-related shutdowns began in March 2020, First State Bank hatched a plan to help employees and struggling local restaurants,” Independent Banker notes. “For three months, the community bank ordered lunch from local restaurants for all its nearly 300 employees every day. When implementing the Paycheck Protection Program required long hours, the bank expanded the restaurant program to include breakfast and dinner for affected employees. All told, First State Bank bought close to 5,000 restaurant meals.”

“We wanted to support our most hard-hit clients and keep staff safe and happy when they were putting in tough hours while dealing with fear and concern,” Morris tells Independent Banker, which observes that “feeding people comes naturally to Morris, an accomplished grill master who often brings out the community bank’s smoker for events.”

First State Bank dedicates a significant chunk of its budget to employee training, from banking school and certifications to leadership training programs. “We want everyone in the bank to reach their full potential,” Morris says. “We recognize the value in helping people grow their careers.”

Click here to view Independent Banker’s complete 2021 list of “Best Community Banks to Work For.”