Washington, D.C. (Oct. 2, 2018)—The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) announced that Josh Rowland, CEO and vice chairman of Lead Bank in Kansas City, Mo., is the Central region winner of its 2018 Community Banker of the Year award. This annual award recognizes the exceptional work and commitment of individual community bankers and their dedication to local communities.
“We are proud to honor Josh, an exceptional leader and visionary, as the Central region winner of ICBA’s Community Banker of the Year award,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. “Josh’s dedication and commitment to his community is exemplified by his adherence to value-based business practices and conscientious civic service. He has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues and serves as a shining example of community banking at its finest.”
With Rowland at the helm, Lead Bank has had more than 20 percent year-over-year growth for the past five years, while cultivating a culture of innovation, respect and transparency. The bank’s newest branch boasts no executive offices, allowing clients to “see and meet” the bank CEO when they visit.
“Josh leads with integrity and a clear vision of how our community bank can continue to better serve its neighborhoods in the future,” said Melissa Beltrame, who nominated Rowland for the award. “He wants to make banking relevant, accessible, and more effective for people who have felt excluded from banking and for those who seek superior financial services.”
Earlier this year, Rowland signed a deal with Self Lender, an Austin, Texas-based financial technology company that helps consumers build credit. In less than five months, 30,000 previously unbanked and underbanked consumers received small loans. Rowland also created the “For Change Initiative,” a civic contractor funding program providing financing for minority and disadvantaged contractors in Kansas City, Mo. Rowland also sits on the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board and was named a 2018 Mr. K Small Business of the Year winner.
In addition to Rowland, ICBA named a National Community Banker of the Year and winners for the East and West regions of the United States. Winners will be featured in the December issue of Independent Banker®, ICBA’s award-winning monthly publication and the number-one source of community banking news for ICBA members. They will also be recognized at the 2019 ICBA Community Banking LIVE® national convention in Nashville, Tenn.
This is the fifth annual contest ICBA has held for the National Community Banker of the Year award. SHAZAM is the sponsor. Every year, ICBA seeks nominations from community bankers, customers and community leaders to identify the most passionate, innovative and savvy community bankers for this prestigious award.
For additional information about community banks, visit www.icba.org.
About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America®, the nation’s voice for nearly 5,700 community banks of all sizes and charter types, is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education and high-quality products and services. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at www.icba.org.