The Texas Bankers Foundation announces the 2026 Cornerstone & LiFE Award winners

(AUSTIN) - The Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association, proudly announces the 2026 recipients of the Cornerstone and Leader in Financial Education Awards. These honors recognize banks and bankers who go above and beyond in their commitment to community service, financial education and strengthening communities across Texas.

"These awards celebrate the banks and bankers who lead with purpose and serve with heart," said Chris Furlow, president & CEO of the Texas Bankers Association. "The 2026 recipients represent the best of Texas banking through their commitment to service, financial education and meaningful community impact. We are proud to recognize their leadership and congratulate them on this well-earned honor."

The Cornerstone Awards recognize outstanding community service projects and partnerships led by banks that strengthen the communities they serve. The LiFE Awards, which stand for Leaders in Financial Education, honor institutions and individuals who demonstrate excellence in promoting financial education and helping Texans build a stronger financial future.

This year's winning Cornerstone projects include:

• Commercial Bank of Texas, N.A. - Interact with the Jacks
• First Financial Bank - Rebuild ABI
• First National Bank Texas - CRA Academy
• FirstBank Southwest - Built to Stay: FirstBank Southwest's Faith. Family. Bank. Fund
• PointBank - All In For Education
• TexasBank - TexasBank Touchdown
• Vantage Bank - Back to School Teacher Wishlist Sponsorship Program

This year's Bank LiFE Award winners include:

• Amegy Bank - EnRiching Tomorrow
• SouthWest Bank - Serving our Community with Purpose
• Texas National Bank - TNB Financial Wellness
• Vantage Bank - Entrepreneur Week at Rivertree Academy

This year's LiFE Individual Recognition Awards go to:

• Maebeth Cotton, assistant vice president and marketing specialist, Austin Bank
• Gabriela Ramirez, corporate trainer, Falcon Bank
• Lisa Rushing, senior vice president and director of community engagement, North Dallas Bank & Trust Co.
• Chris Schjetnan, director of community lending and outreach, First Financial Bank

The 2026 Cornerstone winners include seven bank projects, ranging from disaster recovery and affordable housing to school support, community partnerships and internal service programs. The LiFE winners include four bank programs and four individual honorees recognized for expanding access to practical financial education across Texas.

For further information about the Texas Bankers Foundation, visit https://www.texasbankers.com/Foundation and check out the July / August issue of Texas Banking Magazine, the official publication of the Texas Bankers Association, which includes a special feature on the 2026 winners.

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Founded in 1885, the Texas Bankers Association is the largest state-based banking association in the U.S. TBA advocates for roughly 400 member banks in Austin and Washington; trains more than 20,000 bankers annually; provides nationally recognized community bank services; and invests in Texas communities through financial literacy, scholarship and charitable activities.