Independent Bankers Association of Texas recognizes Bowie-based community bank for its online banking system and food-related events
Bowie, Texas—The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT)—the largest state community banking association in the nation—recently honored Legend Bank with two Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards. The bank, based in Bowie, Texas, received a Gold Eagle BOCB Award in marketing for implementing a new online banking system and mobile banking app. The bank also received a Bronze Eagle award in community service for its many food-related events. Legend Bank accepted the awards on September 20 during IBAT’s 2021 Convention in Austin, Texas.
As COVID precautions began limiting Legend Bank’s ability to serve customers in-person, it knew that the bank’s conversion to a new online banking and mobile app was a top priority. In August 2020, more than 14,000 customers were converted to the bank’s new online banking and mobile app. Legend Bank’s education and marketing campaigns addressing the new app were comprehensive, deploying a variety of internal and external marketing and communication channels to reach the bank’s employees and customers. The metrics used to define the success of the transition included the number of users converted and the high percentage of users on the new system within the first two weeks of implementation, the exponential growth of user logins following conversion and how quickly the bank’s call volume returned to lower-than-normal levels following the conversion. Legend Bank received a Gold Eagle BOCB Award for implementing the new online banking system.
Legend Bank was honored with a 2021 Bronze Eagle BOCB Award for its long-held tradition of providing great food at many of its public events. The bank makes use of a custom-built cooker, which travels to all of its branches for customer appreciation parties and events that support local nonprofit and community organizations, as well as first-responders and those in need. On the day of an event, the Legend Bank team is up at 4 a.m. preparing the cooker and meat. Barbecued ribs are a specialty. Everyone gets involved—including the CEO and president, branch presidents and board members—so it’s a great opportunity for team building and strengthening connections.
IBAT has celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of Texas community banks with the BOCB Award since 1991. Community banks play a critical role in their local communities. The Best of Community Banking competition is designed to honor these banks for their commitment to helping their customers, neighbors, employees and community. BOCB Awards recognize community banks throughout the state for their innovation, creativity and success in fulfilling a specific community or internal need. Each submission receives a gold, silver or bronze award in one of six categories: bank culture, community service, financial literacy, marketing, architectural design and—new this year—pandemic response.
“This past year has been challenging across the globe as we continue to fight the pandemic,” says Christopher Williston, IBAT president and CEO. “But community bankers have been truly inspiring during these difficult days by processing a majority (57.5 percent) of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for small businesses and helping their communities when they were needed most. This year’s BOCB Award recipients were particularly inspiring in their efforts to meet the challenges brought on by the pandemic, and this recognition is only a small token of our immense pride in Texas community banks to better the lives of those around them. I sincerely congratulate all of the 2021 BOCB Award recipients.”
All of the 2021 Best of Community Banking Awards submissions can be viewed here.
About the Independent Bankers Association of Texas
Formed in 1974, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) represents Texas community banks. The Austin-based group is the largest state community banking organization in the nation, with membership comprised of more than 4,600 banks and branches in 700 Texas communities. Providing safe and responsible financial services to all Texans, IBAT member bank assets range in size from $26 million to $44 billion with combined assets statewide of nearly $193 billion. IBAT member banks are committed to supporting and investing in their local communities.