Kim Barnes, President & CEO of The Callaway Bank, accepts the award from BKD on behalf of The Callaway Bank.
The Missouri Independent Bankers Association (MIBA) and BKD National Financial Services Group recently announced The Callaway Bank as the recipient of the 2014 BKD Award for Excellence & Innovation.
Now in its eighth year, the award is co-sponsored by the MIBA and BKD. It honors Missouri financial institutions that implement innovative ideas showcasing a commitment to their customers and community. The Callaway Bank is being recognized for three programs they designed to support their community, local businesses and customers.
“The Callaway Bank is a great example of how independent local banks take their commitment to being active members and supporters of their communities seriously,” said Matthew Ruge, Executive Director of the Missouri Independent Bankers Association. “This bank truly deserves this award for fostering economic growth in the community.”
The first of the bank’s three programs featured a debit card rewards program with multiple components designed to foster economic growth in the community. The Shop Local program was designed so that customers are able to earn double reward points for shopping at local participating merchants. Then, when ready to redeem their reward points, card holders can elect to redeem points for gift cards and certificates from local businesses.
For the second program, the bank partnered with a local association to offer promotional loan terms to businesses that expand or relocate in the local community. Thereby stimulating business expansion and job growth within the markets that they serve.
The final program the bank is being recognized for is a partnership the bank developed with the Show Me Innovation Center, which provides support for new and existing businesses and encourages entrepreneurship. By supporting the Show Me Innovation Center, The Callaway Bank is helping to ensure that businesses are able to access the resources they need to thrive within the community.
Kim Barnes, President & CEO of The Callaway Bank, and Rick Gohring, Callaway County Market President for The Callaway Bank, present the award money to the Show Me Innovation Center.
“As community bankers, we support our local customers and businesses every day in multiple ways,” said Kim Barnes, President and CEO of The Callaway Bank. “None of us expect recognition—it’s just what we do. We are truly proud of the value we bring to our clients and community, and we’re thankful to be celebrated as an innovative community banker.”
As part of the award, the bank received a $1,000 prize. However, they designated the proceeds to go to the Show Me Innovation Center to help the center further support small businesses and drive economic improvement in the area.
“The Callaway Bank’s dedication to its community is a great example of what this award represents,” said Don Hutson, National Industry Partner of BKD National Financial Services Group. “Supporting local businesses and raising awareness of the community among constituents is a wonderful example of civic-mindedness and the bank’s dedication to forward thinking. BKD is proud to recognize it for its innovation and excellence.”
For more information on BKD or the Missouri Independent Bankers Association, visit bkd.com or miba.net.