The Institute for Extraordinary Banking™ was established to honor and support community banks, recognizing their essential role in our economy and local communities. During the Great Recession, the banking profession faced significant public criticism, often overshadowing the commendable efforts of many dedicated bankers. In response, the Institute was founded to highlight the positive contributions of community banks and their commitment to serving small businesses, schools, charities, and local residents. A central initiative of the Institute is the Extraordinary Banking™ Awards, also known as the Banky™ Awards. These awards celebrate the Best Banks in America™, acknowledging institutions that excel in philanthropy, customer service, innovative practices, and financial literacy development within their markets. The goal is to provide consumers with a trusted benchmark, similar to the Grammys or Emmys, to identify outstanding community banks. Roxanne Emmerich, the Founder and Chair of the Institute, is a leading authority on high-performance culture in banking. As CEO of The Emmerich Group, she has guided over 300 banks to top-tier performance. Roxanne is also the editor of Extraordinary Banker® magazine and the author of several influential books, including Profit-Growth Banking and the international bestseller Thank God It’s Monday!. Her extensive experience includes founding successful DeNovo banks and receiving accolades such as Philanthropist of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year. The Institute for Extraordinary Banking™ continues to champion the vital role of community banks, striving to elevate their performance and recognition across the nation.
