10 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020 COVER STORY Presenting C2C Award Nominations Showcasing bank community service in 2019 Last year the Indiana Bankers Association presented its first C2C (Commitment to Community) Award at the 2019 Mega Conference. The C2C Award program supports the Tell the Story pillar of IBA’s strategic plan to showcase bank community service. Congratulations to The Farmers Bank, Frankfort, which won the inaugural award in recognition of community service performed during 2018. After the launch of the C2C Award program, the IBA assembled a banker task force to explore ways to expand and fine-tune the awards. As a result, going forward two awards will be given annually, representing two asset sizes: under $500 million, and assets of $500 million or more. The nomination process also has been recalibrated, with nominating banks answering five questions that align with an evaluation rubric. Additionally, in order to amplify the story of banking, all nominating banks receive recognition through Hoosier Banker and IBA social media. The IBA extends thanks to the C2C Award Task Force members who provided guidance: Jaime Faulkner, Northwest Bank, Warren, PA (formerly with MutualBank, Muncie) Dianna B. Land, Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company, Jasper Tade J. Powell, First Farmers Bank & Trust Company, Converse Karen St. John, The National Bank of Indianapolis Melissa Schenkel, STAR Bank, Fort Wayne. The story of banking is one of helpful outreach and selfless support of the communities that banks serve. Kudos to the 25 banks that submitted nominations for the 2019 IBA C2C Awards. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements about the virtual Mega Convention in November, during which videos will highlight three finalists in each category, and two winners will be named. ASSET SIZE: UNDER $500 MILLION Alliance Bank, Francesville In addition to being a community supporter, Alliance Bank is a community cheerleader. When a local high school headed to state finals in girls basketball, the bank engaged other area banks for a “We’ve Got Spirit, How About You?” social media challenge. The bank also gives generously to the community, in 2019 providing more than $55,000 in financial support to economic development and educational organizations, as well as scholarships to students and funds to fire departments, food banks and parks. Additionally, Alliance Bank donates to the United Way, community foundations, libraries, schools, veterans’ organizations, youth recreation, and arts and historical preservation groups. Staff actively help identify gifting priorities and initiate every act of giving. One example is “Giving Tuesdays,” which engage staff in local philanthropy. The bank also supports financial literacy through Junior Achievement and by maintaining a junior board of directors to give hands-on board experience to local high school students. Bath State Bank With a mission statement of “Building genuine relationships with our community by caring for them like family,” Bath State Bank supports its community not only financially, but also through direct help. In 2019 the staff of 42 spent more than 2,000 hours assisting 185 organizations, plus donating $53,554 among 150 entities. Beneficiary organizations included Junior Achievement, 4-H, volunteer fire departments and more, including a health-stricken family in need of assistance with hospital bills. A giving-spirit example is that the staff chose to reinvest funds earmarked for an employee holiday party to helping others instead. A Random Act of Kindness contest was to result in a donation of $100 each to four winning causes, but ultimately the bank Alliance Bank staff assist at the Rensselaer Fire Department open house during Fire Prevention Week. Award Showcasing
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