ICBA Launches “Best Community Banks to Work For” Awards

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) is excited to announce the nominee period for its 2024 “Best Community Banks to Work For” awards. This prestigious recognition aims to spotlight community banks that excel in providing outstanding workplace environments for their employees. 

ICBA: Community Bank Award Criteria 

The awards are based on anonymous employee surveys, ensuring an authentic reflection of workplace satisfaction. The survey conductor is the independent research agency Avannis, of Centennial, CO. 

Assessment of nominees covers various workplace aspects that include: 

• Communication 
• Training
• Performance standards 
• Recognition
• Compensation 
• Leadership
• Work environment 
• Culture
• Hiring/retention 
• Diversity 

To qualify for the ICBA awards, community banks must be ICBA members in good standing and achieve a minimum employee participation rate of 40 percent in the survey. 

ICBA Evaluation Details for Community Banks 

The survey responses are scaled, with the most positive responses earning the highest points. Banks are categorized into five asset-size categories, and those with the highest scores in each category will be recognized. 

Nominations are open until 11:59 p.m. on July 7, 2024. 

After nomination, banks will move into the evaluation phase, where full-time employees will be invited to complete the survey between August 1 and August 31, 2024. The ICBA will notify potential winners around the week of October 2, 2024. 

Celebrating ICBA Award Winners 

Winning banks will be celebrated in a variety of ways: 

• In the December 2024 issue of Independent Banker Magazine 
• At the 2024 ICBA LIVE annual convention 
• Through various ICBA social and media channels 

Winners from previous years must wait five years before they are eligible to win again, ensuring fresh recognition for new participants. 

Showcase Your Community Bank 

ICBA encourages community banks to participate and showcase their commitment to creating excellent workplace environments. An informative webinar is available to guide banks through the nomination process, offering insights into the survey design, components, and complimentary reporting. 

This initiative goes beyond honoring exemplary community banks. It helps these financial institutions attract and retain top talent by highlighting their dedication to a positive and supportive workplace culture. 

The ICBA website details its 2024 Best Community Banks to Work For Awards.