Awards & Recognition Programs

Industry Awards & Recognition Programs

Throughout the year, we recognize individuals and organizations for their dedication and commitment to the financial services industry and the Illinois Bankers Association. A few of the awards require nominations by their peers. 

Centennial Club

This award recognizes Illinois financial institutions reaching their 100th anniversary and at 25-year increments after that. Be recognized among your peers and community.

Nominate Your Bank

50 Year Club

The 50-Year Club recognizes and celebrates bankers who have achieved 50-plus years in the industry! A 50-Year Club nomination is a capstone event for a banker filled with rewarding experiences and achievements.

Submit a Nomination

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Bank Innovation Award

The Innovation Awards recognize Illinois-based banks that have completed an innovative technology project in the past 12 months. Winners will be announced at the BankTech Conference and are selected based on Degree of Innovation, Adaptability, Scalability, and Impact, Customer Value, Financial Performance, and Sustainability and Ethical Considerations. Deadline: August 28 

Submit a Nomination

Recipients

YearName
2024Beardstown Savings, s.b. & Byline Bank
Women of Impact 2024

Women of Impact Awards

The IBA Women of Impact Awards celebrate Illinois Bankers Association members who have made significant contributions and positive impacts in their organizations, communities, and industry. Award recipients will be honored at the Women in Banking Conference on October 2, 2025 in Springfield.

Submit a Nomination

Recipients

YearName
2024Angelique Gerlock
Betsy Johnson
Patricia L. Krause
Elizabeth Okey
Sarah Phalen
Amy Randolph
Woman on the Rise 2024

Woman on the Rise Award

The Woman on the Rise Award honors a woman aged 40 or younger who is making a significant impact in her industry and community, marking her as "one to watch." This award recognizes young professionals who are deeply involved in their communities, achieve independent success, share their vision, contribute to team success, and embrace new challenges and opportunities. Award recipients will be honored at the Women in Banking Conference on October 2, 2025 in Springfield. Deadline: August 28

Recipients

YearName
2024Ashley Speed
Women of the Year 2024

Woman of the Year Award

The IBA Woman of the Year award (previously known as President's award) celebrates a woman in banking who excels at her profession, is active in the community, and supports other females to reach their full potential - whether in banking or other fields. This is a bank-wide opportunity, with emphasis on ability to lift other women to help them succeed.  Award recipients will be honored at the Women in Banking Conference on October 2, 2025 in Springfield. Deadline: August 28

Submit a Nomination

Recipients

YearName
2024Denise Ward
2022Janice W. Schramm
2021 Susan J. Dubs 
2020 Joanne Brewe
2020Linda Koch 
2019Carol Jo Fritts 
Banker of the Year 2025

Illinois Banker of the Year

This annual award is the highest honor the IBA bestows on an individual whose dedication to excellence has profoundly enhanced the banking industry. This award recognizes the individual's leadership and service qualities, applied not only to the banking industry but also to promoting civic, community, and charitable causes. The nomination deadline has been extended to April 30.

Submit a Nomination

Recipients

YearNameBank
2025Van DukemanBusey Bank
2024Kevin RogersPhilo Exchange Bank
2023Jim RoolfOld National Bank
2022 Daniel P. Daly SENB Bank, Moline (In Memorian)
2021 Marty L. Davis Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company, Pinckneyville 
2020Thomas A. Broeckling First National Bank of Steeleville 
2019Thomas W. Hough Carrollton Bank
2018 Jeffrey D. Snyder Forreston State Bank
2017Marty Noll Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest 
2016 Dale L. BlachfordLiberty Bank, Alton
2015Charie A. ZanckAmerican Community Bank & Trust, Woodstock
2014Norman R. BobinsThe PrivateBank and Trust Company, Chicago
2013Michael Steelman Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Bushnell 
2012 Hunt BonanPeoples National Bank, Mt. Vernon
2011 David Kuhl First Clover Leaf Bank, Edwardsville 
2010 James Aldrich Delaware Place Bank, Chicago 
2009 Arthur Wilkinson State Bank of Bement 
2008 Frank Fleming Litchfield National Bank 
2007 Gary Hemmer First National Bank of Waterloo 
2006 Thomas Boyle State Bank of Countryside 
2005 Ron Peterson First State Bank of Illinois, LaHarpe 
2004 Douglas Mills First Busey Corporation, Chicago 
2003 Robert Wetzel TheBANK of Edwardsville 
2025 Community Service Award Winners photos rotating.gif

Community Service Award

This award honors Illinois financial institutions that go "above and beyond" in their community. Three awards are presented annually to financial institutions that demonstrate a high level of service in their communities. This award recognizes the bank's entire community service portfolio of projects, not just a single project. The nomination deadline has been extended to April 30.

Submit a Nomination

Recipients

YearBank Name
2025First Secure Community Bank
Heartland Bank & Trust Company
Midland States Bank
2024Metropolitan Capital
Peoples Bank of Kankakee County
First National Bank of Steeleville
2023First National Bank of Waterloo
Republic Bank of Chicago
Sauk Valley Bank & Trust Company
2022 Busey Bank, Champaign 
 CIBC Bank USA, Chicago 
 OSB Community Bank, Ottawa 
 2021Bank of Farmington 
 Beardstown Savings, s.b. 
 Bradford National Bank, Greenville 
2020 First Bank of Highland Park 
 First Neighbor Bank, N.A., Toledo 
 Philo Exchange Bank 
2019Alliance Community Bank, Athens
 The Leaders Bank, Oak Brook
 Peoples Bank & Trust, Pana 
2018Fairfield National Bank 
  Lisle Savings Bank
  Washington Savings Bank
2017American Community Bank & Trust, Woodstock 
 The First Bank and Trust Company of Murphysboro 
 State Bank of Speer
2016 Bradford National Bank, Greenville 
 Illinois National Bank, Springfield 
 The PrivateBank, Chicago 
2015 Fifth Third Bank, Chicago 
 First Eagle Bank, Chicago 
 Inland Bank and Trust, Oak Brook 
2014 Alpine Bank, Rockford 
 Bank & Trust Company, Litchfield 
 Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest, Oak Park 
2013 Busey Bank, Champaign 
 Forreston State Bank 
 Standard Bank and Trust, Hickory Hills 
2012 Hickory Point Bank and Trust, Decatur 
 Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust, Pinckneyville 
 Williamsville State Bank and Trust, Springfield 
2011 TheBANK of Edwardsville 
 Freestar Bank, Champaign 
 First State Bank of Illinois, LaHarpe 
2010 Anna-Jonesboro National Bank, Anna 
 Great Lakes Bank, N.A., Blue Island 
 Town and Country Bank, Springfield 
2009 First Clover Leaf Bank, Edwardsville 
 LincolnWay Community Bank, New Lenox 
 Republic Bank of Chicago 
2008 American Eagle Bank, South Elgin 
 First National Bank of Steeleville 
 Libery Bank, Alton 
2007 Cambridge Bank, Lake Zurich 
 Grundy Bank, Morris 
 Illinois National Bank, Springfield 

State Bank of Bement 
2006 Bradford National Bank, Greenville 
 Soy Capital Bank & Trust Company, Decatur 
 The Old Second National Bank of Aurora 
2005 Country Bank, Aledo 
 Home State Bank, Crystal Lake 
 State Bank of Countryside 
2004 First National Bank in Pinckneyville 
 First National Bank of Waterloo 
 First Midwest Bank, Joliet 
2003 Busey Bank, Urbana 
 Oswego Community Bank 
 Bank of Dwight 
IB PAC Bank of the Year

Illinois Bankers PAC Bank of the Year

This award is presented each year at the IBA's Annual Conference for a bank's exceptional PAC efforts during the prior year.

Recipients

YearName
2024Solution Bank
2023 Grundy Bank
2022State Bank of Bement
2021 Grundy Bank, Morris 
2020 Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company, Pinckneyville
2019 Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company, Pinckneyville 
2018 Illinois Bankers PAC Bank of the Year: Grundy Bank
Legacy Awards: TheBANK of Edwardsville and Delaware Place Bank
2017 Murphy-Wall State Bank & Trust, Pinckneyville 
2016 Murphy-Wall State Bank & Trust, Pinckneyville 
2015 Anna-Jonesboro National Bank, Anna 
2014 Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Bushnell 
2013 LincolnWay Community Bank, New Lenox 
2012 Anna-Jonesboro National Bank, Anna 
2011 The Farmers & Mechanics Bank, Galesburg 
2010 TheBANK of Edwardsville 
2009 Anna-Jonesboro National Bank, Anna 
2008 Anna-Jonesboro National Bank, Anna 
2007 American Community Bank & Trust, Woodstock 
2006 TheBANK of Edwardsville 
2005 Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Bushnell 
2004 Founders Bank, Worth 
Volunteer of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

The IBA is grateful for our more than 200 volunteer bankers and associates who serve on one or more IBA boards or committees. This award was developed to honor their commitment to the industry and reward those who go "above and beyond.” Nominations are determined by IBA staff, and the award is presented annually at the IBA’s The ONE Conference. 

Recipients

YearName
2024Courtney Olson
2023Ron Hobson, Midwest Independent BankersBank
2022Mary Schroeder, Pan American Bank & Trust, Melrose Park
2021Lenore O. Erickson, First Bank Chicago, Highland Park
2020 Dave Brandon, Hickory Point Bank & Trust, Decatur
2019 Don Krager, Bank & Trust Company, Litchfield 
2018 Janice Schramm, Hickory Point Bank & Trust, Springfield
2017Michelle Toll, The State Bank Group, Wonder Lake 
2016 Scott Rhoads, Carrollton Bank 
2015 Rachael Maurer, Illini Bank, Springfield 
2014 Patricia Hartmann, First National Bank of McHenry 
2013 Kathy Williamson, South Side Trust and Savings Bank, Peoria 
2012 Michelle Gross, State Bank of Bement