Sponsors construction of a school in Africa
Home State Bank of Jefferson is the recipient of the 2016 Extraordinary Bank of the Year Award for being the #1 bank in the United States, presented by the Institute for Extraordinary Banking®. The bank credits the win to the forward-thinking, community-focused culture their employees and the customers and communities they serve have helped them develop.
Sid Jones, president and CEO of Home State Bank, said, “Being selected as Extraordinary Bank of the Year by the Institute of Extraordinary Banking is an honor for our employees and a reflection on our entire staff, community and customers. I’m extremely proud, and consider it an honor an privilege to be part of a culture and workplace environment where employees enjoy one another and rely on each other for success, while at the same time find joy in serving our customers.”
Home State Bank was recognized with the institute’s top honor after competing against two other top bank finalists. Each of the three finalists presented their achievements in front of hundreds of top-performing bankers from around the country. Home State Bank’s consistently strong performance in five areas of banking – philanthropy, customer service, thought leadership, workplace culture, and financial literacy education – sealed their win.
To honor Home State Bank, the Institute for Extraordinary Banking made a donation on behalf of the bank to the Unstoppable Foundation to fund the construction of a school in Africa, and awarded Home State Bank with a new car (nicknamed Journey) to use in community service and promotional events.
“This award reflects a culture of excellence that all of us at Home State Bank have worked hard to develop over the past few years,” said Danille Curtis, culture coordinator at Home State Bank. “It’s based on nurturing and expanding relationships with customers, fellow employees, the community, and our stockholders.”
“Developing a culture of relationships is key to the success of the bank. “I believe culture drives success. If you put the right culture in place, it drives the right result in the end,” Jones said. “Every employee is part of building and expanding relationships, and creating the culture we want,” Jones explained.
About Home State Bank – Home State Bank was organized in 1934 and is still owned by descendants of its founder, Warren Garst, in a holding company, Greene Investment Company. Two of Warren Garst’s granddaughters presently serve on the Home State Bank board of directors – Elizabeth Garst and Jennifer Garst. Currently, the bank employs 35 and reaches customers in 45 different states. Member FDIX.
The Extraordinary Banking™ awards exist to highlight the vital, yet often overlooked, role that local, community banks play in our community.
