JOHNSTON, Iowa (Sept. 20, 2016) – This week, the Iowa Bankers Association (IBA) recognized two Iowa banks, Midwest Heritage in West Des Moines and F&M Bank & Trust in Burlington, for their contributions to their local communities. The IBA’s 2016 Community Betterment Awards were presented to both banks on Sept. 20 at the IBA Annual Convention in Des Moines. Banks from across the state submitted community-based projects for consideration. Judges selected the top two award winners from the entries received – for a Gold Award (first place) and a Silver Award (second place).

“The IBA Community Betterment Awards celebrate the positive role that Iowa banks play in their local communities. Each year, Iowa bankers donate more than 780,000 hours and $28.6 million to support community programs and initiatives,” said John Sorensen, president and CEO of the IBA. “This year’s award winners exemplify the compassion and commitment that so many Iowa bankers have to helping others – and the real difference that Iowa banks make in their communities every day.”

Midwest Heritage in West Des Moines received the Gold Award for supporting agriculture in its community with their Youth Heifer program. This program helps local youth to get started in the beef cattle business by awarding bred heifers to program recipients based on merit, future goals and ability to care for the heifer. This was the inaugural year of the program, designed for 7th and 8th graders. The program received 16 applications and four students were each awarded with three bred heifers this year. The heifer recipients gained valuable insights into establishing a herd and gaining financial self-sufficiency with this program.

F&M Bank & Trust in Burlington received the Silver Award for its efforts to support small business growth in its community with a campaign to encourage consumers to buy, bank and eat local. The campaign, called “Love Where You Live,” provided posters and t-shirts to local businesses to create awareness of the campaign among consumers. In addition, the bank used social media tactics to further spread the word of the campaign. Approximately 90 percent of the downtown businesses participated in the campaign, exceeding the campaign’s initial goal of 75 percent participation.

To learn more and to watch a video featuring these programs, visit the IBA website at iowabankers.com.

About the Iowa Bankers Association
The Iowa Bankers Association represents Iowa banks and savings institutions. Iowa bankers are committed to the 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 $53.3 billion to help individuals, business owners and agriculture. More than 18,000 Iowans work at an Iowa bank, and Iowa banks donate more than $28.6 million and 784,000 volunteer hours to support local communities each year. To learn more, visit iowabankers.com.