Skip to main content

GreaterUpperValley.com

Ledyard National Bank's Kathy Underwood Wins 2017 Community Banker of the Year Award

Nov 20, 2017 04:04PM ● By Linda Ditch

courtesy of the Valley News

Recently, Ledyard National Bank President and CEO Kathy Underwood was named the Eastern Region winner of the 2017 Community Banker of the Year award by the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA). This annual award recognizes the exceptional work and commitment of individual community bankers and their dedication to local communities.

“We are pleased to honor and recognize Kathy Underwood as the Eastern Region winner of ICBA’s Community Banker of the Year award,” said ICBA Chairman Scott Heitkamp, president and CEO of ValueBank Texas in Corpus Christi, Texas. “As a dedicated, driven leader and compassionate and conscientious citizen, Kathy’s contributions to her community and the betterment of our industry are to be commended.”

With a career that spans almost 40 years, Kathy began her work in the banking industry as a part-time teller at what was then Portland Savings Bank in the late 1970s. She has been with Ledyard just over 12 years, starting in September of 2005.

Kathy views giving back as a key community responsibility and has instilled a culture of civic service throughout the bank, resulting in the creation of the Ledyard Lend a Hand Day program, which provides hundreds of volunteer hours to local organizations. In addition, after helping a family member recover from heart surgery, Kathy became involved with the American Heart Association to bring greater awareness to the threat of heart disease and to raise funds for research. She developed and chaired the first Go Red for Women event in the Upper Valley region and worked with other business leaders to promote healthy work environments for employees.

In addition to her local civic activities, Kathy is a strong voice for the community banking industry. She serves on the ICBA Board of Directors and the ICBA Securities Corporation Board, and she also chairs the ICBA Bank Operations and Payments Committee. She is a former chair of the New Hampshire Bankers Association as well.

Kathy said, “I am truly honored to be recognized for this award and fortunate to work for a community bank that values and supports employees’ volunteering to make our communities a better place to live.” 

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to Image's free newsletter to catch every headline