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Community Banker of the Year Award

CBOY

The nomination period for our 2026 Community Banker of the Year Award is now open!

Do you know a banker who goes above and beyond to make a difference in their community? We invite you to nominate a deserving colleague for the NH Bankers 2026 Community Banker of the Year Award.

Nominees may be any employee from your bank who works in New Hampshire and should demonstrate meaningful involvement in civic, nonprofit, or community-focused efforts—along with professional excellence in banking. This person is a respected industry professional who has made a significant impact on those around them, by inspiring their peers to become involved in community service.

Please complete the nomination form below and submit it for consideration for the NH Bankers 2026 Community Banker of the Year Award. Your nomination should clearly describe:

  • Why you are nominating this individual
  • Their community roles and activities
  • The impact of their service
  • Notable achievements throughout their banking career

Your personal perspective helps the judging panel truly “get to know” your nominee.

Strongly encouraged: Include at least one additional letter of recommendation from a community or civic organization highlighting the nominee’s contributions.

If your nominee was not selected in a previous year, we welcome and encourage you to submit their nomination again.

Please note: Nominations for individuals who have previously won the Community Banker of the Year Award are discouraged. Priority will be given to first-time recipients. A complete list of past winners is below.

Since 1994, this prestigious award has honored one individual each year and will be presented at the NH Bankers Annual Conference, September 14–16, 2026, at the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa in Whitefield, NH.

Submit Nominations To:

Sue McKee
Marketing and Communications Manager
smckee@nhbankers.com

Deadline: Friday, June 5, 2026

Help us recognize the bankers who strengthen our communities—submit your nomination today.

What is the Community Banker of the Year Award?

The New Hampshire Bankers Association (NH Bankers) annually honors one New Hampshire bank employee who has truly gone above and beyond to improve the State of New Hampshire through their civic and community engagement. This person is a respected industry professional who has made a significant impact on those around them, by inspiring their peers to become involved in community service.

Since 1994, NH Bankers has honored an individual each year chosen by a panel of leading public officials. If your nominee did not receive the award in the past, we encourage you to submit your nomination again this year.

This prestigious award is presented during the banquet at our Annual Conference each year.

2025 Community Banker Award Recipient

NH Bankers Association (NH Bankers) has announced their 2025 Community Banker of the Year as Tim Wade, Regional President for New Hampshire of M&T Bank.

NH Bankers President and CEO Kristy Merrill said, “Tim is a constant presence in the community, and so many nonprofits have been impacted by his service and help, either directly or indirectly. We are delighted that he is recognized and congratulate Tim.”

Read the full press release here.

PAST RECIPIENTS

Year Community Bank
2025 Timothy Wade
M&T Bank
2024 Marcus Weeks
Meredith Village Savings Bank
2023 Mark Bodin
Savings Bank of Walpole
2022 Richard "Dick" Jennings
Mascoma Bank
2021 Linda Lorden
Merrimack County Savings Bank
2020 All Bankers
All Member Banks in NH
2019 Dan Morrison
Cambridge Trust
2018 Peter Rayno
Enterprise Bank
2017 Sam Laverack
New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp
2016 K. Mark Primeau
Bank of New Hampshire
2015 Kathryn G. Underwood
Ledyard National Bank
2014 Stephen Christy
Mascoma Savings Bank
2013 David H. Cassidy, Jr.
Centrix Bank
2012 Mark A. Pitkin
Sugar River Bank
2011 James J. “Jay” O’Neill, Jr.
Federal Savings Bank
2010 Stephen W. Ensign
Lake Sunapee Bank, FSB

PAST RECIPIENTS

Year Community Bank
2009 James E. Tibbetts
First Colebrook Bank
2008 Ronald I. Sibley
Community Guaranty Savings Bank
2007 Philip M. Stone (posthumously)
Centrix Bank
2006 Jeffrey Goff
Ledyard National Bank
2005 R. Scott Bacon
Bank of New Hampshire
2004 Ann R. Lally
Salem Co-Operative Bank
2003 Brian Tufts
Laconia Savings Bank
2002 Harold R. Acres
Bank of New Hampshire
2001 Charles B. Paquette
Granite Bank
2000 Joseph B. Reilly
Centrix Bank
1999 Sharon L. Davis
Pemigewasset National Bank
1998 William F. Kidder (posthumously)
New London Trust
1997 None
1996 None
1995 Claudia Boys
Concord Savings Bank
1994 Louis Tranfalia
Fleet Bank
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