The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced the winners of its 2025 National Community Bank Service Awards, recognizing the innovative and exceptional efforts of the nation’s community banks to support and uplift local communities. Stories are featured in the September issue of ICBA’s Independent Banker magazine.
“ICBA is proud to recognize our 2025 National Community Bank Service Award winners and celebrate these heartfelt stories that showcase the power of community banking and its profound and lasting impact in the lives of consumers,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. “These banks serve as models of excellence and exemplify the passion, dedication and enduring spirit of community banking, which helps create communities of prosperity nationwide.”
The 2025 ICBA National Community Bank Service Award winners are:
Exceptional Community Bank Service Award
Gulf Coast Bank in Abbeville, La.
For the past 35 years, $500 million-asset Gulf Coast Bank has partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana to provide vital funding for STEM technology, art and craft supplies, meals, and transportation. In addition to raising nearly $700,000 to support these efforts, bank employees actively mentor youth and model the importance of community service through consistent volunteerism.
“The youth in our communities are our future—our future employees, business leaders, community leaders, doctors, lawyers,” says Jason Patout, senior vice president of Gulf Coast Bank. “We just think it’s vitally important to reach out to the youth and make sure they’re set up for success. We really try to get involved and be a good role model.”
Emerging Community Bank Service Award
Legends Bank in Clarksville, Tenn.
Established in 2024, $880 million-asset Legends Bank supports its community through its Legends Lift volunteer service program, which provides critical resources for community members during times of need. Through partnerships like YAIPAK Outreach, Legends Bank extends its support to local military veterans, helping restore stability and dignity in the wake of financial hardship.
“We honor [veterans] by helping them,” says Charlie Koon, senior vice president and community and business/military development manager for Legends Bank. “That can mean supplying them with a tractor-trailer load of bottled water or helping out to address food insecurity. We live among heroes here, and we just wanted to help out the best we can.”
Honorable Mentions:
- The State Bank and Trust Co. in Defiance, Ohio, ($1.5 billion in assets) for its GIVES (Gathering Individuals to Volunteer, Empower and Serve) program, which connects employees with local nonprofits to support volunteerism.
- Security State Bank of Oklahoma in Wewoka, Okla., ($390 million in assets) for its mission-based Transformational Task Force, which tackles poverty head on through its job creation and housing initiatives.
- Key Community Bank in Inner Grove Heights, Minn., ($100 million in assets) for its volunteer service at Neighbors Inc., a local nonprofit that feeds impoverished members of the community.
“These inspiring stories showcase the essential role of community banks as financial stewards with a vested interest in their communities’ success,” ICBA Chairman Jack Hopkins said. “These banks have demonstrated a level of commitment and service that not only benefits their community, but contributes to the financial well-being of all those who call these communities home.”
Since its inception in 2002, the ICBA National Community Bank Service Awards program has recognized hundreds of community banks and their employees for their extraordinary volunteer efforts and community service initiatives. Bank technology services provider FIS, of Jacksonville, Fla., sponsored this year’s program.