News Story

The Illinois Bankers Association is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Illinois Bankers Scholarship and the Linda J. Koch Scholarships. These prestigious awards support high school graduates or college students pursuing degrees in the financial services sector. Eligible applicants must be sponsored by an IBA member financial institution and show a keen interest in a banking career. Additionally, candidates for the Linda J. Koch Scholarship must demonstrate exceptional leadership and service attributes while meeting other specified criteria.

This year, six students have been selected for the distinguished Illinois Bankers Scholarship, and two were awarded the esteemed Linda J. Koch Scholarship. These scholarships are not only a recognition of the academic accomplishments of our recipients but also celebrate their enthusiasm and dedication to the financial services industry. We are thrilled to support these students as they develop into the future leaders of banking.

Join us as we congratulate our 2026 IBA Scholarship recipients.

2026 Linda J. Koch Scholarship Recipients

Aidan Greenlee
Woodstock High School/University of North Carolina Wilmington
Sponsored by Solutions Bank

Katherine Springer
Olympia High School/University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sponsored by Morton Community Bank


2026 Illinois Bankers Scholarship Recipients

Luke Ahne
Northridge Preparatory School/Northwestern University
Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Grant Fricke
Triopia Jr. Sr. High School/University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sponsored by The First National Bank of Arenzville

William Fuson
Bement High School/University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sponsored by State Bank of Bement

Brock Johnson
Fairfield Community High School/Frontier Community College
Sponsored by Fairfield National Bank

Benjamin Tate
Washington Community High School/Bradley University
Sponsored by Morton Community Bank

Christos Zouras
Carmel Catholic High School/University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sponsored by Busey Bank