Keeping employees engaged and happy at work is a challenge even in the most mundane of times. But doing so amid persistent economic uncertainty, political flareups, technological disruption and fast growth driven by industry consolidation is truly something to brag about.
Over the past year, banks have grappled with both familiar and new challenges: higher deposit costs, reduced demand for loans, a rapidly changing regulatory environment, employee-retention issues, the swift ramp-up of artificial intelligence in the office and the risks that go along with mergers and acquisitions, particularly the often-grueling integration process.
Still, even while facing those pressures, several banks stepped up and supported their staffs. They provided robust benefits packages and regular employee recognition programs. They offered hybrid work schedules, leadership development opportunities and paid time-off to volunteer during work hours. And they tried to better connect their employees by reducing silos, gathering for weekly or monthly events and showing up for each other during times of stress.
This year, 90 banks made it onto American Banker's 2025 Best Banks to Work For list. The 13th annual ranking runs the gamut from the 59-person Pan American Bank & Trust in the Chicago suburb of Melrose Park, Illinois, to SouthState Bank in Winter Haven, Florida, whose employee count was 6,484 at the time the bank completed its application.
American Banker determines the ranking in collaboration with Best Companies Group. The final list depends on two data points: a survey of all employees that measures their overall workplace satisfaction and a review of each applicant banks' employee policies and benefits.
According to the survey results, banks that made the list emphasize strong leadership and long-term planning, effective communication and transparency and a corporate culture that prioritizes autonomy, employee appreciation and a clear understanding of the roles that everyone plays.
Among the winning banks, an average of 92% of employees said they have confidence in the leadership of their organization, while an average of 95% of employees said they like the people they work with. At the banks that applied but didn't make the list, these figures were 80% and 90%, respectively. Meanwhile, an average of 89% of employees at winning banks said they feel like they can trust what their employer tells them, compared with 75% at banks that didn't make the cut. An average of 76% of employees at winning banks said they think they are paid fairly for the work they do, compared with 63% who feel the same way at the nonwinning banks.
American Banker is publishing the 2025 list of the Best Banks to Work For in two parts. This installment features Nos. 21-90, which are listed below in descending order. The top 20 Best Banks to Work For can be
Stay tuned for a trio of feature stories about the winning banks. For full Best Banks coverage, visit
Note: With one exception, which is noted below, total assets for each bank are from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. as of June 30, 2025. Employee headcounts were provided by individual banks when they applied to the program.
90: United Bank
Atmore, Alabama
Assets: $1.4 billion
President and CEO: Mike Vincent
No. of U.S. employees: 251
Notable perk: Up to four hours of paid time for volunteering with organizations that support the bank's mission as a community development financial institution.
89: Zions Bank *
Salt Lake City, Utah
Assets: $22.4 billion
President and CEO: Paul Burdiss
No. of U.S. employees: 1,311
Notable perk: Points-based "Value You" recognition program that rewards employees with gift cards and other items.
* Zions Bank is one of several banking divisions operated by Salt Lake City-based Zions Bancorp. Zions provided the division's asset size to American Banker.
88: SouthWest Bank
Odessa, Texas
Assets: $726.7 million
CEO: Paul Weaver
No. of U.S. employees: 125
Notable perk: Monthly themed lunches that include birthday celebrations.
87: American Savings Bank
Honolulu, Hawaii
Assets: $8.8 billion
President and CEO: Ann Teranishi
No. of U.S. employees: 978
Notable perk: Quarterly pickleball tournaments and malama (Hawaiian for "take care of") rooms that provide quiet space for naps or meditation.
86: Investar Bank
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Assets: $2.7 billion
President and CEO: John D'Angelo
No. of U.S. employees: 349
Notable perk: Taco Tuesdays and Fro-Yo Fridays.
85: Capital Bank
Rockville, Maryland
Assets: $3.3 billion
CEO: Ed Barry
No. of U.S. employees: 429
Notable perk: The Elevate leadership program, which provides rising managers the opportunity to be chosen to attend an eight-month-long immersive leadership program.
84: United Community Bank of West KY
Morganfield, Kentucky
Assets: $491.5 million
President: Gwen Paris
No. of U.S. employees: 65
Notable perk: "UCB shout-outs" and peer-nominated awards to celebrate employees.
83: Civista Bank
Sandusky, Ohio
Assets: $4.2 billion
CEO: Dennis Shaffer
No. of U.S. employees: 531
Notable perk: One paid day off for contributing to the United Way.
82: Busey Bank
Champaign, Illinois
Assets: $18.9 billion
Chair and CEO: Van Dukeman
No. of U.S. employees: 1,432
Notable perk: "B Well," a health and wellness program that offers incentives such as time off and contributions to a health savings account.
81: HomeTrust Bank
Asheville, North Carolina
Assets: $4.6 billion
President and CEO: Hunter Westbrook
No. of U.S. employees: 558
Notable perk: A corporate incentive plan that's open to all employees and pays an annual bonus based on the bank's overall performance.
80: First Merchants Bank
Muncie, Indiana
Assets: $18.6 billion
CEO: Mark Hardwick
No. of U.S. employees: 2,024
Notable perk: Hybrid work opportunities, depending on the nature of the job and employee performance.
79: Bank of Bird-in-Hand
Bird in Hand, Pennsylvania
Assets: $1.7 billion
President and CEO: Lori Maley
No. of U.S. employees: 171
Notable perk: Fully employer-paid premiums for short- and long-term disability benefits.
78: JD Bank
Jennings, Louisiana
Assets: $1.2 billion
CEO: Paul Brummett II
No. of U.S. employees: 253
Notable perk: $100 gift cards given out at Christmas.
77: Ledyard National Bank
Hanover, New Hampshire
Assets: $993.6 million
President and CEO: Josephine Moran
No. of U.S. employees: 129
Notable perk: Reimbursement of up to $300 per year for fitness gear, classes, memberships, massages and races.
76: Stock Yards Bank & Trust
Louisville, Kentucky
Assets: $9.2 billion
CEO: Ja Hillebrand
No. of U.S. employees: 1,134
Notable perk: Milestone anniversary gifts include money and vacation days.
75: FirstBank Southwest
Amarillo, Texas
Assets: $1.9 billion
President and CEO: Andy Marshall
No. of U.S. employees: 240
Notable perk: An employee-sponsored fund that financially supports colleagues facing unexpected hardships.
74: Cadence Bank
Tupelo, Mississippi
Assets: $50.4 billion
Chair and CEO: James "Dan" Rollins III
No. of U.S. employees: 5,430
Notable perk: Twelve weeks of paid parental leave for teammates with at least one year of service.
73: Peoples State Bank
Wausau, Wisconsin
Assets: $1.5 billion
President and CEO: Scott Cattanach
No. of U.S. employees: 202
Notable perk: Quarterly bonus for all employees, based on meeting the bank's financial and non-financial goals.
72: Martha's Vineyard Bank
Edgartown, Massachusetts
Assets: $1.3 billion
President and CEO: James Anthony
No. of U.S. employees: 113
Notable perk: Subsidized housing for employees, in an effort to
71: Helm Bank USA
Miami, Florida
Assets: $1.1 billion
President and CEO: Mark Crisp
No. of U.S. employees: 130
Notable perk: A wellness program that includes monthly challenges, access to mental health resources and virtual fitness sessions.
70: Tioga State Bank
Spencer, New York
Assets: $574.8 million
President and CEO: Robert Fisher
No. of U.S. employees: 105
Notable perk: $200 cash award given to employees who earn new credentials and certifications.
69: Servbank
Oswego, Illinois
Assets: $932.3 million
CEO: Donald Satiroff
No. of U.S. employees: 539
Notable perk: Paid vacations for employees who reach their five- and 10-year work anniversaries.
68: Potomac Bank (formerly Bank of Charles Town)
Charles Town, West Virginia
Assets: $919.2 million
President and CEO: Alice Frazier
No. of U.S. employees: 126
Notable perk: Company shares are awarded to employees who finish major projects.
67: Centreville Bank
West Warwick, Rhode Island
Assets: $2.9 billion
Chair, president and CEO: Harold "Hal" Horvat
No. of U.S. employees: 252
Notable perk: Discounts for employees who buy products or services from the bank's local small business customers.
66: First National Bank Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
Assets: $4.9 billion
Chair, president and CEO: Betsy Lawer
No. of U.S. employees: 618
Notable perk: Annual board of directors-hosted dinner dance.
65: First Bank & Trust Co.
Duncan, Oklahoma
Assets: $958.4 million
President and CEO: Robert Petersen
No. of U.S. employees: 192
Notable perk: "Fun Days" throughout the year that include contests, food and other activities.
64: First United Bank
Lubbock, Texas
Assets: $2.3 billion
CEO: R. Mark Bain
No. of U.S. employees: 316
Notable perk: Bank-catered Thanksgiving meal for all employees and their families.
63: TowneBank
Suffolk, Virginia
Assets: $18.3 billion
President and CEO: William "Bill" Foster
No. of U.S. employees: 1,543
Notable perk: Scheduled shopping days with clothing allowances for bank tellers and receptionists.
62: First PREMIER Bank
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Assets: $3.1 billion
CEO: Dana Dykhouse
No. of U.S. employees: 390
Notable perk: PREMIER University, which offers skill-based and regulatory classes, as well as courses in leadership and financial education.
61: Mutual Bancorp (parent company of Cape Cod 5 and Fidelity Bank)
Hyannis, Massachusetts
Assets: $7.2 billion
Chair and CEO: Matthew Burke
No. of U.S. employees: 709
Notable perk: Incentives to buy electric vehicles.
60: Marquette Savings Bank
Erie, Pennsylvania
Assets: $1.4 billion
President and CEO: John Dill
No. of U.S. employees: 165
Notable perk: Additional paid time off for front-line employees whose jobs don't allow them to work from home.
59: Enterprise Bank & Trust
Clayton, Missouri
Assets: $16 billion
President and CEO: Jim Lally
No. of U.S. employees: 1,302
Notable perk: Up to $1,000 match per associate in charitable giving.
58: The Washington Trust Company
Westerly, Rhode Island
Assets: $6.7 billion
Chair and CEO: Edward Handy III
No. of U.S. employees: 634
Notable perk: Discounted banking products and loans.
57: TriStar Bank
Dickson, Tennessee
Assets: $512.2 million
President and CEO: Ted Williams
No. of U.S. employees: 81
Notable perk: One monthly counseling session for bankers and their families.
56: 1st Security Bank
Mountlake Terrace, Washington
Assets: $3.2 billion
CEO: Joe Adams
No. of U.S. employees: 568
Notable perk: Reimbursement for babysitting, nail salon visits, gym memberships, and mental wellness.
55: Peoples Bank
Marietta, Ohio
Assets: $9.2 billion
CEO: Tyler Wilcox
No. of U.S. employees: 1,311
Notable perk: Monthly drawing for gifts for employees who complete volunteer service hours.
54: Home Bank
Lafayette, Louisiana
Assets: $3.5 billion
President and CEO: John Bordelon
No. of U.S. employees: 485
Notable perk: In-house leadership program.
53: Dacotah Bank
Aberdeen, South Dakota
Assets: $4.6 billion
Chair and CEO: Robert Fouberg
No. of U.S. employees: 601
Notable perk: 100% employer-paid medical and dental premiums for employees and their families.
52: b1BANK
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Assets: $7.9 billion
Chair and CEO: David "Jude" Melville
No. of U.S. employees: 852
Notable perk: Appreciation meals and gift cards.
51: Red River Bank
Alexandria, Louisiana
Assets: $3.2 billion
President and CEO: Blake Chatelain
No. of U.S. employees: 380
Notable perk: An employee referral bonus program that pays $500 for successful hires.
50: United Community
Greenville, South Carolina
Assets: $28 billion
Chair and CEO: Lynn Harton
No. of U.S. employees: 3,062
Notable perk: Sick-time donation program that provides paid time off to employees who are caring for a family member with a serious or critical medical or life event.
49: Chesapeake Bank
Kilmarnock, Virginia
Assets: $1.6 billion
Chair, president and CEO: Jeffrey Szyperski
No. of U.S. employees: 282
Notable perk: Student debt repayment program, with a lifetime cap of $10,000.
48: Peapack Private Bank & Trust
Bedminster, New Jersey
Assets: $7.2 billion
President and CEO: Douglas Kennedy
No. of U.S. employees: 672
Notable perk: Free or discounted tickets to local family entertainment or sporting events.
47: Bank Five Nine
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Assets: $2.5 billion
President and CEO: Tim Schneider
No. of U.S. employees: 374
Notable perk: A "Zen room" at the corporate office.
46: Texas Bank and Trust
Longview, Texas
Assets: $4.3 billion
Chair and CEO: Rogers Pope Jr.
No. of U.S. employees: 521
Notable perk: Birthday cards with a gift card from the CEO.
45: Community Bank
Flowood, Mississippi
Assets: $4.8 billion
President and CEO: Justin Martin
No. of U.S. employees: 835
Notable perk: Tuition reimbursement for undergraduate courses, regardless of the course subject or length of tenure.
44: SouthState Bank
Winter Haven, Florida
Assets: $65.9 billion
CEO: John Corbett
No. of U.S. employees: 6,484
Notable perk: Discount travel and redeemable reward points for certain employee contributions.
43: BankPlus
Ridgeland, Mississippi
Assets: $7.8 billion
President and CEO: Jack Webb
No. of U.S. employees: 1,078
Notable perk: On-the-spot recognition and rewards for jobs well done.
42: Colony Bank
Albany, Georgia
Assets: $3.1 billion
CEO: Heath Fountain
No. of U.S. employees: 474
Notable perk: "Saturday Holiday Pay," which offers time and a half to hourly team members who work on Saturdays surrounding holiday weekends.
41: Cape & Coast Bank (formerly The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod)
Hyannis, Massachusetts
Assets: $1.6 billion
Chair, president and CEO: Lisa Oliver
No. of U.S. employees: 171
Notable perk: Bank-paid bowling night.
40: Heartland Bank
Geneva, Nebraska
Assets: $919.5 million
CEO: John Wilkins
No. of U.S. employees: 114
Notable perk: Free preventative health care clinics for employees and their spouses.
39: Bank Independent
Sheffield, Alabama
Assets: $2.8 billion
CEO: Macke Mauldin
No. of U.S. employees: 693
Notable perk: Annual employer match program that pays up to $1,000 in holiday shopping money.
38: First Metro Bank
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Assets: $998.3 million
President and CEO: Rodney Howard
No. of U.S. employees: 147
Notable perk: Employee appreciation events that include gifts and meals.
37: Capital City Bank
Tallahassee, Florida
Assets: $4.4 billion
CEO: William Smith Jr.
No. of U.S. employees: 956
Notable perk: Financial assistance to help employees recover from natural disasters.
36: Foothills Bank
Phoenix, Arizona
Assets: $1.8 billion
President and CEO: Brian Riley
No. of U.S. employees: 217
Notable perk: Flexible hours to accommodate school events and doctor appointments.
35: Savings Bank of Walpole
Keene, New Hampshire
Assets: $805.9 million
President: Mark Bodin
No. of U.S. employees: 100
Notable perk: Quarterly "parties for no reason" and lots of clubs (book, horror movie, young professionals).
34: ACCESSbank
Omaha, Nebraska
Assets: $905 million
President and CEO: Tom Corrigan
No. of U.S. employees: 113
Notable perk: The annual "Be Kind" program, in which the bank gives each employee $500 to donate to a person or organization in need.
33: Vantage Bank
San Antonio, Texas
Assets: $4.7 billion
President and CEO: Jeff Sinnott
No. of U.S. employees: 496
Notable perk: Unlimited paid time off for salaried employees.
32: Bell Bank
Fargo, North Dakota
Assets: $14.1 billion
CEO: Michael Solberg
No. of U.S. employees: 1,929
Notable perk: A "friends and family program" that gives every employee a gift card and an extra day off if they spend the day with and the money on their family members or friends.
31: MVB Bank
Bridgeport, West Virginia
Assets: $3.2 billion
CEO: Larry Mazza
No. of U.S. employees: 407
Notable perk: Anniversary work gifts for every employee.
30: BANKNEWPORT
Middletown, Rhode Island
Assets: $2.964 billion
President and CEO: Jack Murphy
No. of U.S. employees: 325
Notable perk: "Wellness Week" that includes chair massages, puppy time and cooking demos.
29: Commercial Bank of California
Irvine, California
Assets: $3.7 billion
Chair, president and CEO: Ash Patel
No. of U.S. employees: 307
Notable perk: Employer-provided mental health benefits for employees and dependents.
28: Machias Savings Bank
Machias, Maine
Assets: $2.6 billion
President and CEO: Lawrence Barker
No. of U.S. employees: 291
Notable perk: Employer-sponsored eldercare assistance.
27: Manasquan Bank
Wall Township, New Jersey
Assets: $3.3 billion
Chair, president and CEO: James Vaccaro
No. of U.S. employees: 260
Notable perk: On-site barista and ice cream trucks.
26: Kentucky Farmers Bank
Ashland, Kentucky
Assets: $307.5 million
Chair and CEO: April Perry
No. of U.S. employees: 78
Notable perk: An online wellness program with more than 200 digital tools, including access to health professionals, with a $0 copay.
25: Pan American Bank & Trust
Melrose Park, Illinois
Assets: $517.8 million
President and CEO: Frank Cerrone
No. of U.S. employees: 59
Notable perk: Monetary incentives or extra paid time off when overnight travel is required.
24: First Citizens National Bank
Dyersburg, Tennessee
Assets: $2.5 billion
Chair and CEO: Jeff Agee
No. of U.S. employees: 300
Notable perk: One extra paid hour during Employee Appreciation Week to come in late or leave early.
23: Vista Bank
Dallas, Texas
Assets: $2.4 billion
CEO: John Steinmetz
No. of U.S. employees: 203
Notable perk: Profit-sharing bonuses.
22: Citizens Bank of West Virginia
Elkins, West Virginia
Assets: $682.5 million
President and CEO: Nathaniel Bonnell
No. of U.S. employees: 91
Notable perk: A family picnic that includes an overnight resort stay.
21: Seamen's Bank
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Assets: $468 million
President and CEO: Lori Meads
No. of U.S. employees: 70
Notable perk: After-hours yoga classes.
