American Banker has named Independence Bank one of the Best Banks to Work For in 2015 – ranking 14th out 50, and the highest ranked bank in Kentucky. The full list is featured in the September issue of American Banker Magazine.
“We’re most proud of the results of our employee surveys,” said Independence Bank President Darrell Higginbotham, noting that the employee surveys represented 75% of the ranking criteria and were completed confidentially. “Our employees are our best asset, so we couldn’t be more proud that our employees ranked us so highly.”
Higginbotham says the real advantage of the ranking report is honest feedback. “We look at the summary and glean what we can about things we’re doing well and how we can improve.”
This is the second year Independence Bank has been recognized as a Best Bank to Work for by American Banker Magazine. In 2014, Independence finished 18th on the list. The bank first became involved in the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s Best Places to Work in Kentucky ranking. “After that, we decided to raise the bar and see how we ranked nationally,” Higginbotham said.
To be considered for participation, banks had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
- Have at least 50 employees working in the US;
- Be a Commercial Bank, Thrift, Mutual Association, Mutual Savings Bank, Savings and Loan Association or a Savings Bank.
Independence Bank is a regional community bank with assets over $1.7 Billion and 20 locations throughout Kentucky serving the following counties: Calloway, Daviess, Franklin, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, McCracken, McLean, Warren and Webster.
Determining the Best Banks to Work For involved a two-step process. The first step consisted of evaluating each participating bank’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of employee surveys aimed at assessing the experiences and attitudes of individual employees with respect to their workplace. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top banks and the final ranking.
Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final ranking.
Vice President, Human Resources Officer, Tawna Wright stated that “It is very rewarding to be recognized as a Best Bank nationally. Our employees are the third largest shareholder in our company and they are one of our greatest assets at Independence Bank. Without their support and belief in our organization, none of this would be possible. This is something everyone at Independence Bank as well as our customers and the communities we serve can be very proud of.”
For more information on the Best Banks to Work For program, visit www.BestBankstoWorkFor.com.
To learn more about what makes Independence Bank a Best Bank visit www.1776bank.com to learn more about who we are and what we do.
