2011 Best in Banking
December 1, 2011 9:29 AM
Banker of the Year
Robert Wilmers, Chairman, CEO, M&T Bank
Wilmers has kept M&T on top by sticking to basic banking principles and pulling off well-timed acquisitions. The 77-year-old is in his second stint as CEO, and he's in no rush to retire again. "I like being part of the banking business, being part of the community," he says. (Image: Dan Nelken)
Wilmers has kept M&T on top by sticking to basic banking principles and pulling off well-timed acquisitions. The 77-year-old is in his second stint as CEO, and he's in no rush to retire again. "I like being part of the banking business, being part of the community," he says. (Image: Dan Nelken)
Community Banker of the Year
Melanie Dressel, President, CEO, Columbia Banking System
Acquisitions of five failed banks have boosted Columbia's assets by 50% in less than two years. "Our long-term vision is to be a Pacific Northwest community bank, with the emphasis on community," Dressel says. (Image: Peter Yates)
Acquisitions of five failed banks have boosted Columbia's assets by 50% in less than two years. "Our long-term vision is to be a Pacific Northwest community bank, with the emphasis on community," Dressel says. (Image: Peter Yates)
Community Banker of the Year
Dick Evans, Chairman, CEO, Cullen/Frost Bankers
Evans is the first CEO in Frost National Bank's 112-year-history who didn't have the Frost surname. Major decisions are guided by a 15-page "Blue Book" that Evans commissioned when he took the helm in 1997. (Image: Alicia Calzada)
Evans is the first CEO in Frost National Bank's 112-year-history who didn't have the Frost surname. Major decisions are guided by a 15-page "Blue Book" that Evans commissioned when he took the helm in 1997. (Image: Alicia Calzada)
Community Banker of the Year
Community Banker of the YearMichael Kubacki, Chairman, CEO, Lakeland Financial Corp.
How does a bank increase its total book of loans by more than 25% in three years — in slow-growing northern Indiana — without making a single acquisition? By targeting established businesses, even if they are already customers of other banks, Kubacki says. (Image: Alan Klehr)
How does a bank increase its total book of loans by more than 25% in three years — in slow-growing northern Indiana — without making a single acquisition? By targeting established businesses, even if they are already customers of other banks, Kubacki says. (Image: Alan Klehr)
Innovator of the Year
Jane Thompson, Former President, Financial Services, Wal-Mart Stores
Under Thompson, Wal-Mart's financial arm generated handsome profits by offering basic services like check cashing and remittances to low- and moderate-income consumers. Banks, she says, "can and should find a way to serve these customers." (Image: Beth Hall)
Under Thompson, Wal-Mart's financial arm generated handsome profits by offering basic services like check cashing and remittances to low- and moderate-income consumers. Banks, she says, "can and should find a way to serve these customers." (Image: Beth Hall)
Lifetime Achievement
William Rhodes, President, CEO, Rhodes Global Advisors
Former Senior Vice Chairman and International Officer, Citigroup Inc.
A veteran of multiple global crises, Rhodes made a career of being dispatched to economic trouble spots to help arrange financial lifelines for governments in distress. (Image: David Lubarsky)
Former Senior Vice Chairman and International Officer, Citigroup Inc.
A veteran of multiple global crises, Rhodes made a career of being dispatched to economic trouble spots to help arrange financial lifelines for governments in distress. (Image: David Lubarsky)
