Hickory Point Bank and Trust, Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company and Williamsville State Bank and Trust presented with Illinois Bankers Association Community Service Awards

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hickory Point Bank and Trust, Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company and Williamsville State Bank and Trust were honored as 2012 Illinois Bank Community Service Award winners by the Illinois Bankers Association (IBA). The awards were presented on June 21 during the 121st Annual IBA Conference and Trade Show held at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis. This is the tenth year for the Illinois Bank Community Service awards, which honor Illinois financial institutions that demonstrate a high level of service in their communities.

Here is a capsulated look at some of the winners' projects. This is by no means a comprehensive list of the many projects these banks have engaged in within their communities.

Hickory Point Bank and Trust, Decatur
The bank has an ongoing history of involvement in the community through financial gifts and volunteerism, including a new initiative called "Helping Hands" that gives employees the opportunity to recommend organizations that need support.

In another example of community service, the bank invited directors from Junior Achievement and Big Brothers/Big Sisters to come to the bank and make presentations to employees. Following the presentations, many employees became actively involved with those organizations. The bank also held a community food drive and raised food and cash donations totaling more than $11,000.

Accepting the award for Hickory Point Bank and Trust was bank president Tony Nestler. 

Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company, Pinckneyville
The bank's employees worked on building a house for tornado-stricken Joplin, Mo. The efforts were showcased earlier this year on an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. 

Murphy-Wall is also very supportive of financial literacy in the community. Each year they host accounting students for job shadowing experiences. They also make appearances in business classes and work with local grade schools on a Bank-at-School program. They host two Customer Appreciation Events, participate in local parades and help provide support for many community activities.

Accepting the award on behalf of Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company was bank president and CEO Marty Davis. Davis also was elected as the Illinois Bankers Association's 2012-2013 chairman during the event.

Williamsville State Bank and Trust, Springfield
The bank's support of their community goes beyond the expectations of a bank of its size. They are avid supporters of the arts, having donated much time and money to facilities, events and programs like the Hoogland Center for the Arts, the Muni Opera and the Springfield Art Fair.

When they see a community need, they don't hesitate to contribute as in the case with a new YMCA in Springfield and a new sports facility and auditorium at a local high school. They even helped fund the rebuilding of a church sanctuary after it had been destroyed by a tornado. The bank also sponsored the Star Western Hemisphere's sailing event that brought people from all over the world to central Illinois.

Accepting the award on behalf of Williamsville State Bank and Trust was bank president and CFO Cathy Gonzalez.

The Illinois Bankers Association is a full-service trade association dedicated to creating a positive business climate that benefits the entire banking industry and the communities they serve. Founded in 1891, the IBA brings together state and national banks, savings banks, and savings and loan associations of all sizes in Illinois. Collectively, the IBA represents nearly 90 percent of the assets of the Illinois banking industry, which employs more than 100,000 men and women in over 5,000 offices across the state.

SOURCE Illinois Bankers Association