Community Banking Stories #3: Employees & Culture

As we do each April, we’re celebrating Community Banking Month by publicizing the incredible work that community banks do — both in their communities and within their institutions. In our third of four articles for this year’s Community Banking Month series, we showcase community banks that are prioritizing their employees and company culture.Making Remote Interviewing and Relocating EasyInterviewing and relocating for a new job can be a highly stressful experience. BankIowa, located in Independence, Iowa, does everything it can to make this process as easy as possible for new employees. One employee who was living in Florida but wanted to move back to Iowa describes her experience:“I applied for a position at BankIowa, and they promptly contacted me. I was quite worried about having to fly to interviews as I began this process. They completed every interview virtually. I could not be more blessed to work for this company and with the amazing teammates. BankIowa was supportive and accommodating as I made the big move from Florida.”BankIowa was recently recognized as one of the “Coolest Places to Work” by Corridor Business Journal. The bank is defined by a number of core values, including Believe, Appreciate, Neighbor, Knowledge, Innovation, Ownership, Willingness, and Accountability. In addition to traditional employee benefits like health, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k), and paid time off, the bank also offers a charity donation match and community volunteer opportunities.Cultivating Future Leaders Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach, headquartered in Long Beach, California, has intentionally built its culture around leadership development, employee recognition, and community service. The bank’s Leadership University is a structured development program designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders. More than a training course, the intensive 12-month program facilitates an increase in the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to excel in a current or future leadership position at Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach. Employees gain exposure to executive leadership, strategic projects, and mentorship opportunities that strengthen the skills necessary to guide teams with confidence and integrity. Graduates of the program frequently describe it as transformative — not only professionally, but also personally.Employee appreciation is woven into the fabric of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach. Each year, the bank hosts its highly anticipated Employee Banquet, an event dedicated to honoring employees for their years of service. From five-year milestones to multi-decade careers, employees are celebrated for their dedication, loyalty, and impact.Supportive Culture Drives TeamworkAt Lexicon Bank in Las Vegas, Nevada, a strong workplace culture is the foundation of meaningful community impact. The core of that culture is in how the bank supports its staff through ongoing education, professional development, and opportunities for personal growth. Team members are empowered to expand their expertise in a way that builds confidence and helps them deliver exceptional service to the bank’s clients and communities.Lexicon Bank doesn’t stop there, though. Along with the benefits to individual team members, the bank also focuses on teambuilding and fostering connections between staff that helps them feel valued and supported by their teammates. Some events driven by this initiative include Fun Fridays, where staff engage in teambuilding activities, share celebratory meals, and mingle with other departments. Emphasizing these values within the bank makes it feel like a natural extension for Lexicon Bank to show up for nearby communities. Whether they come together for a local food drive, a volunteer commitment, a community initiative, or a national effort like World Autism Awareness Day, Lexicon Bank’s team is dedicated to making a positive impact that can be felt within and outside of their organization.Helping Employees Impacted by Hurricane HeleneIn 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. HomeTrust Bank, located in Asheville, North Carolina, wanted to find a way to support employees impacted by the storm. The bank launched the HTB Employee Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to employees in times of unforeseen disasters or personal hardships. After a generous donation from the bank to start the relief fund, the fund now relies primarily on the generosity of individual employee contributions.In addition, HomeTrust Bank supports employee resource groups as an essential component of its ongoing commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Over the past two years, the bank has formed two employee resource groups: the HTB Women’s Network and the Young Professionals of HTB. The HTB Women’s Network has grown to approximately 100 members, and the Young Professionals of HTB has grown to approximately 50 members. HomeTrust Bank also established the Heart of HTB Program, a bank-wide volunteer commitment that supports local charitable organizations. The bank partners with local charitable organizations for employee volunteer events several times throughout the year.Investing in Employees’ GrowthAt Southwest Bank, located in Odessa, Texas, the goal is to equip employees with the tools they need to succeed. The bank does this by investing in employees’ growth and development, both personally and professionally, through professional development opportunities and health and wellness challenges. These include professional development groups featuring guest speakers, training on new topics and systems, leadership webinars, mental health and wellness resources, and more.We are honored to present the stories of community banks that recognize how vital their employees and culture are to creating a thriving bank and community. In our fourth and final Community Banking Month article next Thursday, we feature community banks that are dedicated to boosting financial literacy and other financial education in their communities.