The American Bankers Association Foundation today announced the recipients of its 2026 ABA Foundation Community Commitment Awards, which recognize banks for extraordinary service to their local communities in seven categories. The foundation also announced that Aaron Slate, market president for Truist in Asheville, North Carolina, has been awarded the 2026 George Bailey Distinguished Service Award.
The winners will be recognized at ABA’s Annual Convention in Salt Lake City on Oct. 27.
Community Commitment Awards
The Community Commitment Award winners embody banking at its best and have demonstrated success in measurable terms. A selection committee, made up of independent, national experts in each of the seven categories, reviewed bank nominations from across the country and chose winners based on specific criteria, including the creativity and effectiveness of the specific program.
“The 2026 Community Commitment Award winners exemplify the extraordinary commitment banks make every day to strengthen the communities they serve,” ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols said. “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.”
Financial education
Crest Savings Bank, Wildwood, New Jersey. 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, Missouri. 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, Pennsylvania. 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, Illinois. 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
The George Bailey Distinguished Service Award recognizes a non-CEO bank employee who demonstrates outstanding service to their community. Slate was selected for his leadership in helping Western North Carolina communities respond to and recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
As communities confronted damage to their homes, businesses, and infrastructure, Slate worked to connect Truist employees, customers, nonprofit organizations and local businesses with essential resources and financial assistance. He was also instrumental in the rollout of Truist Cares for Western North Carolina, a three-year, $725 million initiative focused on helping the region’s communities recover and build long-term resilience.
“True leadership reveals itself in moments of adversity, and Aaron’s response following Hurricane Helene demonstrated exceptional compassion and dedication,” Nichols said. “His efforts helped guide communities through uncertainty and brought together businesses, nonprofits and local leaders to support recovery. Aaron’s impact will be felt throughout Western North Carolina for a long time to come.”
