Buckeye Ranks Among America’s Best Banks

Buckeye Community Bank Named One of the Nation's Best for Fourth Straight Year

• For an impressive fourth year in a row, Buckeye Community Bank has been celebrated by the Institute for Extraordinary Banking as one of America's most exceptional community banks.
• The prestigious national award recognizes the very best community banks that consistently make a powerful difference for small businesses, families, and the local economy.
• Earning a spot among the nation's "Top 5 Percenters," Buckeye Community Bank proudly stands in the upper echelon of community banks delivering lasting impact.

Buckeye Community Bank has achieved national acclaim for the fourth straight year, earning The Institute for Extraordinary Banking's prestigious Banky Award. Headquartered in Lorain County, Buckeye was celebrated for its exceptional service and its lasting impact on clients and the local community.

Four straight years of national recognition places Buckeye in rare company. The award helps individuals and businesses identify the banks most committed to serving and strengthening their local communities.

"This recognition isn't just about us. It's our amazing team and loyal clients who make Buckeye Community Bank what it is. Being honored for four straight years reflects the commitment our team of community bankers brings to the businesses, families, and organizations we serve every single day," said Buckeye President and CEO Ben P. Norton. "Community banking has always been about more than transactions, it's about trust, relationships, and showing clients that we'll always be here, we'll always greet them by name, and every decision will always be made locally with their best interest in mind."

"Four years of national recognition speaks to the values and dedication that define Buckeye Community Bank. From our leadership to our operations to our branch teams, we've built a culture focused on serving the local community," said James A. Park, Chairman of Buckeye Bancshares Inc., Buckeye Community Bank's parent company. "When Buckeye was founded, our vision was simple yet powerful: to create a bank that always puts Lorain County and its neighbors first. This award not only celebrates that commitment but reminds us of the essential role a local bank plays in supporting and uplifting communities."

The Extraordinary Banking Awards recognize community banks' vital role in fostering local business growth, elevating local economies, and becoming deeply woven into their communities. The annual awards are based on criteria that include customer satisfaction, community investment, employee engagement, financial literacy programs, and innovative service delivery. Buckeye also earned accolades in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

"Community banks recognize the aspirations, dreams, and silent hopes of small businesses and families," said Roxanne Emmerich, Chair and Founder of The Institute for Extraordinary Banking. "The heart and soul of an extraordinary bank is its visionary blueprint for its community's success and its commitment to making that vision real. This year's honorees, our Top 5 Percenters, embody that standard of excellence."

"This recognition isn't just about us. It's our amazing team and loyal clients who make Buckeye Community Bank what it is. Being honored for four straight years reflects the commitment our team of community bankers brings to the businesses, families, and organizations we serve every single day."