In August, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced the 2024 winners of its Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards. Dallas-based Veritex Community Bank received the Best of Show for its “Welcome to Southern Dallas” campaign, which was in the Community Service Category of this year’s BOCB Awards. Winners of the 2024 BOCB Awards will be recognized at IBAT’s Awards Luncheon on October 7, held as part of the organization’s 50th Annual Convention in San Antonio, October 5–8.
“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.
This year marks the 33rd year of celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of IBAT member banks and the critical role they play in communities across Texas. In 2019, Veritex Community Bank joined several partners in the revitalization project of Cedar Crest Community Center, including TREC Dallas, Troy Aikman, Jordan Spieth and Clayton Kershaw. Veritex Community Bank is dedicated to transforming the community’s relationship with money and providing more resources to the underbanked in Southern Dallas. Veritex Community Bank became the first bank to open its doors in Southern Dallas, which was known as a bank desert. The opportunity came from its community partner, Behind Every Door, which led the way to reopen Cedar Crest Community Center. Inside the community center, Veritex Community Bank now calls home to its Cedar Crest banking center.
Click here to view descriptions of all the winning 2024 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 2024 Best of Community Banking Award Recipients
Best of Show:
- Veritex Community Bank, Dallas | Community Service: Welcome to Southern Dallas
Community Spirit/Gold Eagle:
- State Bank of Texas, Dallas | Architectural Design: The Legacy of State Bank of Texas—37 Years of Family Values
- Texas Regional Bank, Harlingen | Community Service: Let the Good Times Boil
- Vista Bank, Dallas | Financial Literacy: South Dallas Banking Center and Financial Literacy Center
Gold Eagle:
- Community National Bank, Midland | Architectural Design: Odessa and Lubbock Headquarters
- First Bank Texas, Willow Park | Marketing: That’s My Bank!
- First National Bank Texas, Killeen | Financial Literacy: Financial Literacy Program
- Legend Bank, Bowie | Bank Culture: Leadership Enrichment and Development, LEAD Committee
- Lone Star National Bank, McAllen | Community Service: Community Service and Financial Literacy Initiatives
- Texas Bank, Henderson | Community Service: Anna’s Angel Tree
- TFNB Your Bank for Life, Waco | Community Service: Charity Champions
- Veritex Community Bank, Dallas | Financial Literacy: Strikeout for Financial Literacy
Silver Eagle:
- Citizens State Bank, Woodville | Bank Culture: Doing the Right Thing
- Community National Bank & Trust of Texas, Corsicana | Financial Literacy: Financial Wellness in Our Communities’ Schools Each Year
- First Bank Texas, Willow Park | Community Service: Serving Through PPP
- FirstBank Southwest, Amarillo | Community Service: Banking Advisory Council
- Lamar National Bank, Paris | Financial Literacy: Fraud Awareness Program—Helping Protect Your Money and Personal Information
- Legend Bank, Bowie | Marketing: Banking on Christmas
- TXN Bank, Hondo | Architectural Design: Forging Two Bank Cultures into One Bank
- VeraBank, Longview | Innovation: Re-imagining Our Digital Front Door
- VeraBank, Longview | Marketing: Holiday Shopping Debit Card Campaign
Bronze Eagle:
- First Texas National Bank, Floydada | Architectural Design: Rebranded and Opened First Branch in Sherman
- FirstBank Southwest, Amarillo | Bank Culture: Earned Time Off Program
- Lone Star National Bank, McAllen | Bank Culture: Employee Suggestion Program
- Lone Star National Bank, McAllen | Innovation: Building Lasting Relationships with Our Customers and Helping Them Thrive Financially
- Texas Bank, Henderson | Architectural Design: Main Bank Remodel
- Woodforest National Bank, The Woodlands | Innovation: AIC CEI-Boulos Opportunity Fund/Lake Cliff Affordable and Workforce Housing Project
