Congratulations to our AMBA member banks who were recently announced by the Military Service Departments as recipients of the Bank of the Year Award for the respective Service Departments for 2025. With multiple nominations received by military installation leaders, these member banks went above and beyond to support their military communities. The recipients will be recognized at the AMBA Military Banking Summit 2026 (MBS2026), taking place at The Mayflower Hotel, in Washington D.C. September 27-29, 2026. Congratulations again!
Department of the Air Force Distinguished Bank of the Year – First Arkansas Bank & Trust (Little Rock Air Force Base)
First Arkansas Bank & Trust (FAB&T) continued its decades-long commitment to Little Rock Air Force Base by delivering exceptional financial services, financial education, and community support to Airmen, their families, and civilian personnel. In 2025, the bank expanded fraud prevention education, promoted savings initiatives, provided credit-building products, and partnered with local schools to improve financial literacy for military-connected youth. FAB&T also demonstrated outstanding community leadership by supporting military organizations, JROTC programs, Operation Warmheart, and numerous base events while providing assistance to military members and federal employees during the government shutdown. The bank’s leadership remains deeply engaged with the military community through organizations such as AMBA and local military advisory groups, reinforcing its commitment to military financial readiness. These efforts, combined with continuous investment in accessible banking services and employment opportunities for military spouses and veterans, make FAB&T a deserving recipient of the Air Force Distinguished Bank of the Year recognition.
Department of the Army Distinguished Bank of the Year – Armed Forces Bank (Fort Leavenworth)
Armed Forces Bank at Fort Leavenworth continued its 119-year tradition of serving Soldiers, veterans, military families, and Department of Defense personnel through outstanding financial services and community engagement. During 2025, the bank invested heavily in financial readiness by providing free financial counseling, classroom instruction, homebuying education, and savings initiatives while offering affordable alternatives to predatory lending. Beyond banking services, Armed Forces Bank donated thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours to military, veteran, education, and community organizations throughout the Fort Leavenworth area. The bank also strengthened installation support through upgraded facilities, expanded ATM access, and direct support for command operations, while maintaining a workforce composed entirely of employees with military affiliations. Its unwavering commitment to financial readiness, military family support, and community service exemplifies the qualities recognized by the Army Distinguished Bank of the Year Award.
Department of the Navy Distinguished Bank of the Year – Armed Forces Bank (Naval Station Great Lakes)
Armed Forces Bank at Naval Station Great Lakes continued to demonstrate its commitment to Sailors, recruits, veterans, and military families by delivering innovative financial products and comprehensive financial readiness programs throughout 2025. The bank provided no-cost financial counseling, recruit financial education briefings, savings incentives, and affordable lending products designed to help service members build strong financial foundations while avoiding predatory lending. Armed Forces Bank also invested more than $70,000 in facility and technology upgrades, maintained critical cash services for the installation, and ensured convenient banking access through extensive ATM and digital banking capabilities. Supporting the installation extended beyond banking, with contributions to military family events, food assistance programs, Recruit Training Command activities, and veteran-focused organizations across the Great Lakes community. These combined efforts highlight the bank’s longstanding dedication to enhancing the financial well-being and mission readiness of the Navy community, making it well deserving of the Department of the Navy Distinguished Bank of the Year Award.