

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 |
