This is our 34th year of celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of IBAT members with the
2025 Best of Community Banking Awards competition.
This program recognizes the vital role your bank plays in your community,
which has never been more important than throughout the past year.
The Best of Community Banking (BOCB) competition is an opportunity to showcase and honor the best-of-the-best efforts of IBAT members in six categories: architectural design, bank culture, community service, financial literacy, innovation and marketing. Entries are free.
Take this opportunity to tell the story of your bank’s critical involvement in the community and with both your employees and customers by sharing with us the exceptional projects you’ve taken on throughout the past year.
This awards program is open to all member banks in good standing. Submissions will be electronic and include a written summary and short video (optional but highly encouraged). See additional details on the entry form. Entry requirements include:
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Required: Thorough written documentation of program (no word limit – include narrative, goals, bank involvement and outcome/impact).
- Required: Brief written program summary (100-200 words). Please note this is a concise summary and different than the requirement above.
- Required: Original high-resolution images/pictures.
- Highly Encouraged: 4-6 minute video (.mp4) showcasing submission.
Judging Criteria:
- Were the objectives of the program clearly summarized?
- Did the entry achieve those objectives?
- Did the program have a well-defined focus?
- Was the program effective?
- Overall presentation of the entry based on format, quality and organization.
Entries must be sent to [email protected] via ShareFile and confirm receipt by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 16. Submission videos will be shown throughout IBAT’s Annual Convention in Fort Worth, September 20-23. Additionally, Best of Show, Community Spirit and Gold Eagle winners will be recognized at the BOCB Awards Luncheon.
Entry Types
See the 2024 Winners
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Architectural Design
- Historic renovation and revitalization
- New build and/or renovation of headquarters or branch facilities
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Financial Literacy
- Youth or adult financial literacy programs
- Kids’ savings programs
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Bank Culture
- All things employee focused: employee recognition, training and development programs, health incentives, etc.
- Programs focused on developing bank culture internally and engaging employees
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Innovation
- Automation, Efficiency and Analytics
- Digital Marketing & Sales
- Reimagining the Customer Experience
- Social, Sustainable and Responsible Banking
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Community Service
- Civic programs (i.e. senior citizen outreach, health screenings, food banks, etc.)
- Adopt-a-School programs
- Crisis management (local, state, national)
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Marketing
- Bank products and services/branding
- Customer rewards programs
- Social media campaigns
- Website/mobile banking design and content
- Special events (i.e. anniversaries, grand openings, etc.)
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