10 JULY / AUGUST 2021 Emily Brooks Member Engagement Specialist Indiana Bankers Association ebrooks@indiana.bank COVER STORY The IBA Commitment to Community Awards support the Tell the Story pillar of IBA’s strategic plan to showcase bank community service. Two awards are given each year, representing asset sizes under $500 million and $500 million or more. Nominating banks answer questions that align with an evaluation rubric, and all receive recognition through Hoosier Banker and IBA social media. The story of banking is one of helpful outreach and selfless support of the communities that banks serve. Kudos to the 22 banks that submitted nominations for the 2020 IBA C2C Awards. Stay tuned for the announcement of the two winners, which will be named at the IBA Mega Conference in October. Asset size: Under $500 million At Alliance Bank, Francesville, employees are the bank’s outreach – they direct giving and volunteer efforts, identifying the needs in their own communities. As one of the few businesses left in the rural towns it serves, Alliance Bank employees serve as natural community leaders, sitting on volunteer boards and working with economic development organizations. Amidst the pandemic, the bank gave back to essential workers with gift certificates, meals, personal protective equipment supplies and encouraging notes. When businesses reopened, Alliance Bank launched Cash Mobs, which encouraged communities to shop local with incentives. On Giving Tuesday, the bank surprised four local organizations with $20,000 in gifts. Despite donation requests waning, the bank’s giving grew to $74,000 for the year, always striving to give more than it did before. Overall, Alliance Bank endeavors to leave people in better condition than it found them and listen to the community’s needs. Bath State Bank’s mission statement is “building genuine relationships with our community by caring for them like family.” The bank supports the community both financially and through giving of self, despite the latter looking different amid the pandemic. Bath State Bank is committed to being hands-on with its projects rather than just supporting a cause financially. Due to pandemic restrictions, Bath State Bank had to be creative in assisting its communities. The bank delivered meals to a local sheriff’s department, surprised nursing home residents and employees with flowers, C2C Award Nominations Showcasing community service in 2020 Alliance Bank
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