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9/20/2012
IOWA NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION

Iowa banks honored for community betterment initiatives

JOHNSTON, Iowa (Sept. 18, 2012) - This week the Iowa Bankers Association (IBA) recognized three Iowa banks for their contributions to local communities. The IBA's 2012 Community Betterment Awards were presented on Sept. 18 at the IBA's annual convention in Des Moines.

"Banks across the state of Iowa make a positive difference in their local communities every day," said IBA President and CEO John Sorensen. "The IBA's Community Betterment Award winners exemplify the significant contributions banks make to financial education, community service and economic development initiatives."

Banks from across the state submitted community-based projects for consideration in three award categories: financial education, community service and economic development. Judges selected the top bank in each category, for a total of three awards. The award-winning banks in each category are:

* State Bank & Trust in Nevada won the Financial Education award for its elementary school financial literacy program called Lil' Cub, helping students save $15,000.

* First National Bank of Muscatine won the Community Service award with its "Just Drive... Don't Text" campaign to build awareness of the dangers of texting and driving.

* Shelby County State Bank in Harlan won the Economic Development award with its fund drive to build a $10.1 million wellness center to promote wellness in its community.

About the Iowa Bankers Association

The Iowa Bankers Association represents Iowa's 341 banks and savings institutions. Iowa bankers are committed to the Iowa values of honesty, hard work and community service, and have been a trusted resource for Iowans for more than 100 years. Iowa banks offer FDIC insurance and lend more than $41 billion to help individuals, business owners and agriculture. Nearly 15,000 Iowans work at an Iowa bank, and Iowa banks donate more than $35 million and 874,000 volunteer hours to support local communities each year. To learn more about Iowa banks, visit MyIowaBank.com.

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(Contact: Lori Ristau, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, 515-286-4316, lristau@iowabankers.com)

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	Pictured left to right: Kevin Campbell, president & CEO, and Janet Buman, marketing officer, Shelby County State Bank; Harlan; Bonnie Nichols, marketing, and Charla Schafer, vice president, First National Bank, Muscatine; and Diane White, marketing director, and Steve McGill, president & CEO, State Bank & Trust, Nevada.