Best Banks to Work For

First Bank Financial Centre's Mark Mohr personalizes work anniversary cards by drawing sketches on them highlighting employees' interests.

Last summer, the Wausau, Wis., bank combined two employee groups to form the ICEBreakers. Its mission is to support outstanding customer service and foster a positive workplace culture.

Every year communities are hit by hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and other disasters. These banks have found novel ways to take care of customers and employees in those emergencies.

HomeTown Bank's decision to designate an employee to oversee its wellness efforts has revitalized the program, pushing it into new areas such as emotional intelligence and stress management.

From on-site clinics to 24-hour access to doctors, many of the 85 banks on our annual list provide unique health benefits to employees.

Savings Bank of Walpole loosened up internal policies that had limited body art and cellphone use, and it created the position of community engagement coordinator, to connect with younger workers.

Judy Long, president of First Citizens National Bank in Dyersburg, Tenn., launched the Smart Women financial literacy program after seeing female customers struggle with managing their finances.

Banks can’t just make jobs fun, they must help workers find meaning.

Chip Mahan, founder of Live Oak Bank, believes that if employees have their needs outside work met, they will work better with customers.

Michael Towbes, the owner of Montecito Bank & Trust who passed away last year, launched a program in 2003 that gives $1 million away to charities each year.