Bell State Bank & Trust turns 50 next year, and in that time it's built a culture that knows its values and does a good job of promoting them. The Fargo, N.D., bank hosts family baseball nights, picnics and nighttime Christmas parties — all to let employees know their importance.

As chairman and chief executive of Veritex Community Bank, C. Malcolm Holland gets a kick out of the little things, like writing personalized birthday cards to employees.

It only takes three months for new hires at FNBC Bank in Ash Flat, Ark., to qualify for an enhanced paid-time-off program that gives them an extra 40 hours to use for vacation or other purposes.

Popular with employees: An employee-funded outreach program helps co-workers who have serious health issues or are struggling financially. Last year 64 employees received a total of $34,000.

Popular with employees: At each team meeting, an employee who "hits it out of the park" receives a special baseball. The recipient signs the ball and passes it on to another employee at the next meeting.

Popular with employees: Choice asks its employees in a survey each year what they think are the best things about working there and its flexibility is a favorite response. Operating on the philosophy that flexibility breeds dedication, the bank encourages employees not to let work keep them away from their kids' soccer games.

Popular with employees: Each year BankPlus employees get a day off as an anniversary gift, and every five years they get a gift such as jewelry, furniture, luggage or a vacation.

Popular with employees: Independence charters a bus once a year for employees — and one guest each — to go to Nashville for a shopping day. Attendees get a long-sleeve shirt, $10 for lunch and the chance to win gift cards on the bus.

Tim Colvin used to make consumer loans at Community Trust Bank. Now, as the bank's "dream manager," he spends his workday counseling the bank's employees on everything from figuring out how to adopt a baby to landing their ideal job.

Popular with employees: On-site yoga classes are taught by employees who are certified instructors.

Popular with employees: Winters in Maine can be brutal, so Machias Savings has a "Spring Fever Week" to help employees get through the end-of-winter slump with some fun. The week includes dress-down days, group photo contests and prizes.

Popular with employees: Management has an open-door policy and regularly visits branches to solicit input. Employees are encouraged to call or drop in on senior executives.

Popular with employees: Branches that win a monthly trivia contest get a catered lunch.

Popular with employees: Winners of a wellness challenge get cash and prizes. Last year 87 employees split $10,000.

Popular with employees: A discretionary profit-sharing program typically doubles the regular 401K match for all employees.

Popular with employees: Free soda, coffee and hot chocolate are always available, and there's popcorn on Fridays.

Popular with employees: The CEO sends employees hand-written birthday cards with a small cash gift.

Popular with employees: More than half of First Horizon's employees take advantage of flexible-scheduling options, such as telecommuting, compressed workweeks or job sharing.

Popular with employees: Each spring and fall, full-time employees can request a 60% reimbursement on up to $600 worth of new clothes.

Bonus/incentive program: 1st National distributes 5% of its quarterly profits to employees, with all full-timers getting an equal share and part-timers receiving half a share. The bank also puts 10% of its profits in a pool that's used to reward employees for things like achieving goals and showing ingenuity.