ABA Foundation Announces 2026 Community Commitment Award Winners

The American Bankers Association Foundation today announced the recipients of its 2026 ABA Foundation Community Commitment Awards. The prestigious annual awards recognize banks for extraordinary service to their local communities in seven specific categories ranging from affordable housing to serving military families. The winners will be recognized at ABA's Annual Convention in Salt Lake City on Oct. 27.

The selection committee, made up of independent, national experts in each category, reviewed bank nominations from across the country and chose winners based on specific criteria, including the creativity and effectiveness of the specific program. Community Commitment Award winners must embody banking at its best and demonstrate success in measurable terms.

"The 2026 Community Commitment Award winners exemplify the extraordinary commitment banks make every day to strengthen the communities they serve," said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. "Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships and dedicated service, these banks are helping expand opportunity, address critical community needs and make a meaningful difference in people's lives."

"These award-winning programs show how banks can be powerful catalysts for positive change," said Lindsay Torrico, executive director of the ABA Foundation. "Whether expanding access to housing or finding ways to protect seniors from fraud, each winner found a meaningful way to address a local need and deliver measurable results."

Affordable Housing

Citizens Financial Group Inc., Providence, R.I.
Citizens' Housing Economic Opportunity Fund pairs affordable housing investment with resident-focused resources such as high-speed internet, digital learning centers, workforce training and financial education. Since 2022, the bank has committed $310 million in equity investments across 13 projects supporting the creation or rehabilitation of 1,541 affordable housing units in low- and moderate-income communities.

Community and Economic Development

American Savings Bank, Honolulu
American Savings Bank's Buy Local Hawaii program connects customers with more than 150 participating merchants across five islands, offering debit card discounts that help residents save while directing spending to local businesses. Since the program's launch, customers have saved more than $1.5 million, and approximately 60,000 cardholders have completed more than 3.3 million transactions totaling more than $245 million at participating merchants.

Financial Education

Crest Savings Bank, Wildwood, N.J.
Crest Savings Bank's Crestival Financial Reality Fair gives high school students a hands-on opportunity to practice budgeting and make real-world financial decisions. Using the bank's custom Budget Buddy app, students move through carnival-themed stations covering careers, housing, transportation, credit, savings and unexpected expenses, with guidance from bank employees and community partners.

Financial Inclusion

Generations Community Bank, Indianapolis
Generations Community Bank became Indiana's first Minority Depository Institution when it opened in April 2026, marking a historic milestone in the state's banking industry. Created to expand access to capital and economic opportunity, the locally led bank focuses on serving underserved and underrepresented individuals, families and businesses throughout Central Indiana. Through tailored financial solutions, Generations Community Bank helps entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds establish and grow their businesses while reducing reliance on personal savings and high-interest credit cards. As a result, the bank supports entrepreneurship, strengthens local businesses and contributes to economic vitality, job creation and wealth generation.

Protecting Older Americans

Branson Bank, Branson, Mo.
Branson Bank's fraud awareness initiative combines community education, practical prevention tools and regional collaboration to protect older adults from financial exploitation. The bank helped establish the Tri-Lakes Financial Crimes Group, which brings together more than 60 representatives from financial institutions, law enforcement and government agencies, and its prevention efforts have helped customers avoid more than $5.1 million in potential fraud losses.

Supporting Military Families (Two Winners)

S&T Bank, Indiana, PA,
S&T Bank maintains a steadfast commitment to veterans, military members and their families as a critical component of their people-forward banking purpose. Their history of honoring those who serve began over twenty years ago. Since that time, they've worked diligently to organize and coordinate products, programs and sponsorships that honor and assist those who protect our freedoms. They work to provide vital solutions and services to champion the needs of this most deserving community.

ServBank, Oswego, Ill.
ServBank Community Cares supports service members, veterans and their families through financial protection, employee engagement and partnerships focused on housing, food security and workforce development. The bank also integrates Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protections into a specialized servicing model designed to provide timely, accurate support during active duty and military-to-civilian transitions.

Volunteerism

Marquette Bank, Chicago
The Marquette Neighborhood Commitment mobilizes employees, financial resources and community partnerships to address housing, hunger, education, health and financial wellness. In 2025, 163 employees contributed more than 1,900 volunteer hours across more than 80 service projects, while the bank provided more than $900,000 in grants and neighborhood support.

George Bailey Distinguished Service Award

Aaron Slate, Truist Bank, Charlotte
As part of the annual Community Commitment Awards program, the ABA Foundation also honors an individual banker with the George Bailey Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes a non-CEO bank employee who demonstrates outstanding initiative and commitment to customers and the community while inspiring others. This year's recipient, Aaron Slate, market president at Truist Bank in Charlotte, N.C., is being recognized for his leadership in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. He will be honored at ABA's Annual Convention on Oct. 27 in Salt Lake City.

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About the American Bankers Association

The American Bankers Association is the voice of the nation's $26.5 trillion banking industry, which is composed of small, regional and large banks that together employ over 2 million people, safeguard $20.7 trillion in deposits and extend $13.9 trillion in loans.

About the ABA Foundation

Through its leadership, partnerships, and national programs, ABA's Community Engagement Foundation (dba ABA Foundation), a 501(c)3, helps bankers provide financial education to individuals at every age, elevate issues around affordable housing and community development, and achieve corporate social responsibility objectives to improve the well-being of their customers and their communities.