Who We Are

About the IBA and Our Founding Members

The Illinois Bankers Association, the voice of Illinois' banking industry, is a full-service trade association dedicated to creating a positive business climate that benefits the entire banking industry and the communities they serve. Founded in 1891, the IBA brings together state and national banks and savings banks employing over 105,000 people in nearly 4,500 offices.

The IBA is proud of its diverse membership, serving all sizes of financial institutions, from the smallest community bank in the state to the largest national bank in the country. Our individual and organization membership programs become your primary source for information, collaboration, and innovation. 

Our History

The IBA has a rich history that dates back to 1891. It began with an invitation requesting the presence of Illinois bankers at an organizational meeting for what was to become the Illinois Bankers Association. Following that initial meeting, 62 bankers signed on to become Charter Members of the Association.

“The undersigned Bankers of Illinois, desiring to promote a better acquaintance among the fraternity in the State, as well as to offer opportunities for the discussion of questions of interest, arising from time to time, invite you to meet with us at the State House in Springfield, Thursday, November 5, 1891, at 12 p.m. for the purpose of organizing a State Association for Bankers, if such an organization be deemed advisable.”

62 Illinois Bankers (Charter Members of the Association)

NameBank Name 
W.W. AndersonFirst National Bank, Taylorville
A. AthertonTracy, Atherton & Co., Pleasant Plains
B.F. BeesleyJacksonville National Bank
Lorenzo BullState Savings Loan and Trust Co., Quincy
L.L. Burroughs Peddecord, Burrows and Co., Decatur
Ben F. CaldwellBen F. Caldwell and Co., Chatham
John R. ChapmanAmerican Trust and Savings Bank, Chicago
T.K. ConditFirst National Bank, Beardstown
G.W. ConstantBank of Illiopolis
Henry Dawson, Jr.Auburn State Bank
J. M. DooleyThird National Bank, Bloomington
W.B. DunlapFirst National Bank, Mattoon
C.L. EnglishFirst National Bank, Danville
B.H. FergusonSpringfield Marine Bank
D.M. FunkFirst National Bank, Bloomington
G.W. GrahamFarmers and Traders Bank, Meredosia
M.H. GreenbaumLivingston County National Bank, Pontiac 
S.M. GrubbsFirst National Bank, Litchfield 
T.W. HallFirst National Bank, Harrisburg 
Thos. W. HallidayCity National Bank, Cairo 
John L. Hamilton, Jr.Hamilton and Lateer, Hoopeston
H.C. HamiltonFirst National Bank, Girard
C.T. Hanshaw Bank of Palmyra
H.H. HarrisFirst National Bank, Champaign
John W. HartFarmers State Bank, Auburn
W.A. HeathChampaign National Bank
Frank Hoblit First National Bank, Lincoln
S.H. JonesState National Bank, Springfield
Lee KincaidBanker, Athens
Murphy-Wall State B&TC Pinckneyville 
John A. KingFort Dearborn National Bank, Chicago 
N.C. KingHavana National Bank
Otho S. King First National Bank, Mason City
Edward D. KeysFarmers National Bank, Springfield
C.B. LanningFirst National Bank, Petersburg
C.W. Lincoln First National Bank, Mount Pulaski
John S. LittleBank of Rushville
F. LoweHavana National Bank
H.H. MarboldBanker, Greenview
B.O. McReynoldsDecatur National Bank
J. MillikinJ. Millikin and Co., Bankers, Decatur
J.W. OrrBaughman, Orr and Co., Tuscola
F.C. OrtonLincoln National Bank
G.J. PattisonCaldwell, Henderson and Co., Virden
Charles Ridgeley Ridgeley National Bank, Springfield
Thomas S. RidgwayFirst National Bank, Shawneetown 
John RobertsonFarmers National Bank, Virginia
D.W. Smith Illinois National Bank, Springfield
H.A. ShepherdState Bank, Jerseyville
Geo. H. SoutherSangamon Loan and Trust Co., Springfield 
W.A. SteeleMerchants and Farmers Bank, Sullivan
C.W. TietsortBank of Medora
F.W. TracyFirst National Bank, Springfield  
Henry TubbsNational Bank of Monmouth
T.J. Viddle First National Bank, Pana
T.D. VredenburghLoami Bank
R.R. WallaceState Bank of Hamilton
Richard WangelinBelleville Savings Bank 
S.M. WarnerOld National Bank, Centralia 
Peter WhitmerPeoples Bank, Bloomington 
W.L. WileyExchange Bank, Brimfield  
C.E. WilsonMattoon National Bank
George Wree Bank of Niantic 

Our Mission       

Deliver for all Illinois banks what they cannot do alone.

Our Core Values

• We are member focused
• We strive for excellence
• We are curious
• We bring solutions, not problems

IBA Diversity and Inclusion Statement

The Illinois Bankers Association’s mission is to promote a healthy environment for banks in Illinois that, in turn, focus on helping their local communities. Ensuring that a broad mix of individuals with a variety of ideas, differing viewpoints, thought processes, backgrounds and experiences play a meaningful role in all aspects of the banking industry is critical to the success of IBA and its members. Embracing differences and promoting equity is at the foundation of IBA as an employer and as a trade association.

Similar to the banking industry we serve, IBA understands that in order to more fully accomplish our mission, and live our values, we must leverage the diverse backgrounds, skills, knowledge and perspectives of our members, Board of Directors, vendors and employees. IBA is passionate about fostering a culture for members and employees where everyone feels welcome, included, empowered and valued. This includes attracting and retaining a diverse workforce, and encouraging our staff to promote diversity and inclusion in all internal teams and across external relationships and services.