The Indiana Bankers Association Commitment to Community Awards, presented annually at the IBA Mega Conference, tell the story of banking by showcasing bank community service provided the prior calendar year. For the first time this year, three awards were given instead of two: asset sizes under $750 million, between $750 million and $3 billion, and $3 billion or more.
For the 2024 awards, Home Bank, Martinsville, won in the category of banks under $750 million in assets; our inaugural mid-size bank winner for institutions with between $750 million and $3 billion in assets was Community First Bank of Indiana, Kokomo; and 1st Source Bank, South Bend, won for banks with $3 billion or more in assets.
Each of the following 22 nominees answered questions that aligned with an evaluation rubric, and all entries were reviewed and scored by representatives from the Tennessee Bankers Association.
Asset Size: Under $750 Million
Bath State Bank
One thing has remained constant for Bath State Bank over the past 100 years: its desire to remain a locally owned, independent bank that makes a positive impact on its local economy and community. This past fiscal year, the bank financially supported 240 organizations, totaling almost $150,000. The bank also earned the “Small But Mighty” corporate award for volunteerism and financial support from Junior Achievement of Eastern Indiana. In addition, countless hours of time spent in the classroom, on the fairgrounds and engaged in other community activities are just a part of the staff’s commitment.
The Bippus State Bank, Huntington
Bippus State Bank demonstrates a strong commitment to community through donations, sponsorships and extensive volunteer efforts. Employees actively engage in local initiatives such as Habitat for Humanity, food pantries and youth programs while also participating in events like Relay for Life and local festivals. Each branch tailors outreach to its specific community, and staff are encouraged to get involved through varied volunteer opportunities and fundraising efforts like the jeans fund. Success is measured by the bank’s ability to meet community needs effectively and broadly. Bippus State Bank’s outreach reflects its belief that banking is about relationships, support and local impact.
Citizens Bank, Mooresville
Citizens Bank believes the story of banking is about identifying needs and taking action to improve lives. Annually, the bank provides over $100,000 in donations, sponsorships and gifts, along with hundreds of volunteer hours. In 2024, the bank impacted over 500 K-12 students in Monrovia alone by delivering in-classroom financial education. Staff regularly propose causes important to them, which are vetted, developed and funded by the bank. Employees are encouraged to use their time to support bank-related community efforts. For Citizens Bank, it’s not just about the dollar amount given; it’s about building relationships that create meaningful change.
DeMotte State Bank
DeMotte State Bank has been an established financial institution and community partner for over 100 years. The bank has introduced three annual giving initiatives: Spread the Love, Treat Your Teacher and Scare Away Hunger, which address the most significant needs in its communities. 2024 efforts included donating Amazon gift cards and other prizes to local teachers, organizing holiday food drives for food pantries and hosting community appreciation events. The bank has been consistently known as a trusted financial institution in the community but strives to also be known as a community partner by contributing time, talents and significant financial investment.
First Federal Savings Bank, Evansville
First Federal Savings Bank believes that institutions that prioritize people both foster opportunities and build stronger communities. In 2024, bank employees dedicated 386.3 hours to local nonprofit organizations and nonprofit leadership roles were held by 34 bank employees, showing a broad impact on the community. In response to the devastating hurricanes in North Carolina, the bank partnered with Gibco Motor LLC to fill seven semi-trucks with essential supplies like food, water, clothing and hygiene products to benefit displaced residents. Overall, the bank aims to uphold the trust placed in it and embody what it means to serve as a community partner.
First Federal Savings Bank, Rochester
First Federal Savings Bank has a focus on serving the community through financial education, offering real, practical experience and discussion on complicated topics. Audiences for these educational initiatives include students of all ages, incarcerated individuals, senior citizens and other community members in need. The bank encourages employees to utilize their volunteer time benefit, which allows them to volunteer with nonprofit organizations of their own choosing during normal business hours. In addition to financial education, the bank provides monetary donations and sponsorships throughout the community. Ultimately, the bank strives to share financial literacy and de-mystify banking so all community members have access to banking services.
Home Bank, Martinsville
Home Bank’s vision for the community is “Making Lives Better.” The bank and its staff work to live out that mission through financial support to nonprofits, leadership in key community initiatives, employee volunteerism and financial literacy programs across all age groups. The bank’s community gifting program donates 10% of the bank’s net income each quarter to nonprofits across its markets. Efforts are primarily focused on affordable housing, mental health and other challenges that may be experienced by those who are under-resourced in the community. The bank was formed in 1890 to facilitate housing and support prosperity in Morgan County, and it still strives to uphold that mission today.
Hoosier Heartland State Bank, Crawfordsville
Hoosier Heartland State Bank takes pride in being a cornerstone of its community’s success, trusted to step up when times are tough. Each year, the bank proudly invests 10% of its annual income into local nonprofits, schools and service programs, totaling over $2 million since 2013. Bank staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact through a variety of volunteer and outreach initiatives. In 2024, 71 teammates volunteered a total of 964 hours, making an economic impact of $31,000. The bank’s commitment to community exemplifies what it believes banking truly should be: personal, impactful and focused on the greater good.
FINALIST
Logansport Savings Bank
To Logansport Savings Bank, being a community bank means giving time, talent and financial support to customers and communities. In 2024, the bank gave nearly $20,000 in charitable contributions and donations that supported dozens of local schools, student athletes, kids and families, and various nonprofit organizations across multiple counties in north central Indiana. Staff live out the bank’s tagline of “Leading the Way” by getting involved in the community – through volunteerism and service on boards and committees. The bank believes that the story of banking shines through when people see, know and trust their local bank as a community supporter – at any age or stage in their life.
Owen County State Bank, Spencer
Owen County State Bank believes banking is about building strong relationships and contributing to the well-being of the community. By partnering with community agencies, funding essential projects and providing assistance to those in need, the bank aims to show that it can be a force for positive change. Initiatives like the bank’s “Casual for Charities” program encourage employee giving and demonstrate that banking can be a platform for collective action to support local organizations. This approach to community engagement tells a compelling story of banking that emphasizes social responsibility and the bank’s role as a partner in building thriving communities.
Asset Size: Between $750 Million and $3 Billion
Community First Bank of Indiana, Kokomo
In 2024, Community First Bank of Indiana demonstrated its deep commitment to community through donations, partnerships and staff engagement. The bank contributed over $174,000 to nonprofits, partnered with over 100 organizations and sponsored 138 events. Notably, the bank launched a nonprofit learning series to strengthen local leadership. The bank also formalized a strategic planning process with local community foundations to guide impactful giving. Staff are engaged through paid volunteer hours, incentives and planning roles. With 71% of employees volunteering over 2,000 hours, the bank’s outreach reflects its mission to partner with communities for a lasting impact and empower them to thrive.
First Bank Richmond
First Bank Richmond has supported its community since 1887 through financial contributions, volunteerism and advocacy. In 2024, the bank donated over $637,000 to local nonprofits and had 50% of staff serve on nonprofit boards or committees. Its outreach focuses on education, financial literacy, health and nonprofit support. Initiatives include reading programs, financial education via Banzai, dementia-friendly services and the “Doing Great Things Together” campaign, which highlights local nonprofits. Staff are deeply involved through volunteer time, training and internal incentives. Success is measured by tangible community improvements, reflecting the bank’s belief that strong communities and strong banks grow together.
First Harrison Bank, Corydon
First Harrison Bank’s commitment to community outreach reflects its belief that thriving communities contribute to the bank’s own success, reinforcing the role of community banks as local pillars. One example of the bank supporting its community is its annual donation of 1,500 lbs. of turkey to local food banks each Thanksgiving, engaging customers via social media to boost donations. This effort addresses food insecurity, particularly in areas with high free/reduced lunch rates and local food assistance programs. The program’s success is measured by strong community involvement, with over 18,000 people reached on social media and 1,500 interactions.
First Savings Bank, Jeffersonville
First Savings Bank’s commitment to community is reflected in its generous financial contributions and employee involvement. In 2024, the bank donated $555,633 to charities and organizations, while employees volunteered 5,690 hours. The bank supported 452 organizations and participated in nearly 1,900 events, focusing on financial literacy, economic development and community vitality. Staff engagement is fostered through a charity committee, raising funds for local causes and supporting employees in need. Success is evaluated through service hours, employee feedback and community impact, with the bank viewing its outreach as a vital partnership that strengthens both the community and its business.
JCBank, Seymour
JCBank has supported its communities for 125 years through financial contributions and volunteerism, dedicating $134,464 and 3,779 hours of service in 2024. The bank focuses on key areas like education, food security and youth engagement, partnering with organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs and Big Brothers Big Sisters. JCBank encourages employee involvement by providing opportunities to volunteer and serve on nonprofit boards. Success is measured by tracking events, funding, account growth and community impact. JCBank’s commitment highlights the evolving role of banks as community-driven entities that prioritize long-term well-being over transactions, fostering sustainable relationships and development.
Peoples Bank, Munster
Peoples Bank is deeply committed to strengthening communities in northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. In 2024, 108 employees volunteered 3,800 hours, supporting 177 organizations. The bank partners with local nonprofits, offering financial literacy programs, hosting events like Shred Day for fraud prevention and participating in initiatives like VITA and Revive Home Repair Grants. Additionally, the bank’s Community First Committee raised over $29,000 for local nonprofits in 2024. Success is measured by volunteer hours, community engagement and employee feedback. Peoples Bank’s long-standing focus on building relationships, fostering trust and driving local economic growth reflects the core values of community banking since its founding in 1910.
FINALIST
STAR Bank, Fort Wayne
STAR Bank is deeply committed to community service, focusing on education, the arts and economic redevelopment. In 2024, employees volunteered nearly 700 hours, and the bank donated over $400,000 to more than 90 nonprofits. STAR supports local youth development through programs like “STARs of Tomorrow” and the “Future of Agriculture” scholarship. The bank also helps with affordable housing via its Home Hope Mortgage. Engaging employees with eight hours of volunteer time off annually fosters team-building and community impact. STAR evaluates success through monthly committee decisions and the stories of those positively impacted by their philanthropy, emphasizing meaningful change.
Asset Size: $3 Billion and Above
1st Source Bank, South Bend
1st Source Bank is deeply committed to community support through financial wellness education and volunteerism. The bank helps individuals overcome financial challenges by providing personalized guidance and resources to help them achieve their financial goals. In 2024, the bank taught over 200 financial classes, assisting individuals in budgeting, saving and homeownership. Staff actively engage in outreach, logging 14,535 volunteer hours and participating in community drives. The bank tracks its impact through a new reporting platform, reinforcing its mission to help individuals achieve financial security and success and exemplifying its core value of community leadership in all its actions.
Centier Bank, Merrillville
Centier Bank is committed to community service through its CentierGives initiative, supporting local organizations in areas like health, education and food insecurity. In 2024, the bank donated over $100,000 to the United Way and $25,000 to charities linked to new branch openings. The bank engages staff by offering volunteer hours, incentives and matching donations. Centier tracks its impact, reporting over $18.8 million donated to 1,500 organizations and 134,000 volunteer hours. With a focus on transparency, the bank’s outreach reflects its mission to enrich lives and foster community growth through financial guidance and caring relationships.
FINALIST
Lake City Bank, Warsaw
Lake City Bank supports its community through local involvement, with employees actively engaging in local organizations and causes they are passionate about. The bank addresses community needs by offering affordable housing solutions, partnering with Habitat for Humanity and providing financial services to underserved areas. Employees are encouraged to volunteer with paid time off and opportunities to teach financial literacy. In 2024, employees volunteered over 4,000 hours, contributing to programs like Junior Achievement and financial wellness workshops. The bank evaluates success through participation and budget, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to community through its long-standing community banking model.
FINALIST
Merchants Bank, Carmel
Merchants Bank supports its community through the MPACT program, which encourages employees to donate time, talents and resources to local organizations. The program focuses on financial literacy, affordable housing and small business support. Merchants offers free financial literacy sessions, provides grants for first-time homebuyers and helps small businesses access funding. Employees are given additional paid time off for community involvement and can nominate local organizations for funding through the Merchants Foundation. Since its inception, MPACT has logged over 17,000 service hours. Success is evaluated through an annual award ceremony, tracking volunteer hours and adjusting efforts to meet community needs.
Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company, Louisville
Stock Yards Bank & Trust supports its community through donations, volunteerism and services tailored to local needs. In 2024, the bank donated nearly $100,000 to various civic organizations and led volunteer events, such as working with Habitat for Humanity. The bank addresses community needs with initiatives like the Home Repair Grants, offering forgivable loans to low-income households for essential home repairs. Staff actively engages through events like the Dash by the Past 5K and Habitat for Humanity builds. Success is evaluated through tracking contributions and monitoring the impact of community programs. Their commitment continues the bank’s tradition of personalized, community-focused banking since 1904.
Thank you to the IBA-member banks that participated in the 2024 C2C Awards program! Nominations are now open for the 2025 Commitment to Community Awards. Learn more and nominate your bank at indiana.bank/Commitment-Community-Award.
