ABA today applauded the bankers — all of them ABA members — honored by the American Banker newspaper in its “Best in Banking” year-end awards. The three honorees as Community Banker of the Year were:
- Jill Castilla, president and CEO of Citizens Bank of Edmond, Edmond, Okla., who serves as vice chairman of ABA’s Communications Council and sits on ABA’s Government Relations Council.
- Richard Holbrook, chairman and CEO of Eastern Bank, Boston, who chairs ABA’s Mutual Institutions Council and serves on ABA’s Government Relations Council and American Bankers Council.
- David Seleski, president and CEO of Stonegate Bank, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Honored for lifetime achievement was William Cooper, president and CEO of TCF Financial in Wayzata, Minn., a member of ABA’s American Bankers Council for midsize banks. Also honored as the innovator of the year was Suresh Ramamurthi, chairman of ABA member CBW Bank in Weir, Kan. Kelly King, Chief Executive and Chairman for ABA member BB&T Bank in Winston-Salem, N.C. was honored as Banker of the Year for 2015.
“Congratulations to these outstanding bankers,” said ABA’s Rob Nichols. “They lead their banks and serve their communities with distinction, and we are inspired by their commitment to moving our industry forward.”