Kish Bank Named CBICC 2025 Business of the Year

Celebrating 125 Years of Service and Impact in Central Pennsylvania

October 30, 2025

PRESS RELEASE

STATE COLLEGE, PA – Kish Bank has been named Business of the Year by the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) at its 2025 Centre County Business Awards, held October 23 at the Nittany Lion Inn. The award recognizes Kish Bank’s longstanding commitment to community investment, innovation, and economic growth throughout Centre County.

“We’re incredibly honored to receive this recognition from CBICC,” said Greg Hayes, President and CEO of Kish Bank. “It’s a reflection of our team’s dedication, the strength of our community partnerships, and our belief that we can make life better for those around us.”

The honor comes as Kish Bank celebrates a major milestone: 125 years of service to Central Pennsylvania. Founded in 1900 in Belleville, Kish Bank has grown into a $1.9 billion regional financial institution with 19 locations across Central Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio. Guided by its core purpose—“We believe that we can make the lives of those around us—our employees, our clients, and our communities—better”—Kish continues to prioritize people, partnerships, and progress.

As outlined in its award nomination, Kish Bank’s impact is reflected in its deep investment in the community, leadership in service, commitment to innovation, and role in driving economic growth. Through its Community Gifting Program with Giv Local (also a Centre County Business Awards winner, capturing Small Business of the Year for 2025), nearly 200 businesses directed $64,000 to 133 nonprofits in 2025. Kish also expanded access to financial services by launching its new ATM + Live Banker technology at four locations in underserved areas.

In 2025, Kish employees volunteered over 5,000 hours across 218 organizations. The bank’s culture of service shines through its Kish for the Cure campaign, which has raised more than $625,000 for cancer-related nonprofits since 2012. Executive Chairman Bill Hayes and his wife Connie will be honored as Penn State’s 2025 Renaissance Fund Honorees in November for their longstanding community service.

Innovation and ensuring the future of community banking are central to Kish’s workforce strategy. The Kish Innovation Center in Reedsville supports more than 250 employees and hosts training, collaboration, and community events. Kish blends high-tech convenience with personal service through features like video-assisted teller transactions, mobile P2P payments, and interactive lobby technology, while investing in employee development through structured training and leadership programs.

As a key criterion for the CBICC’s Business of the Year award, Kish plays a vital role in economic development in Centre County. Since 2020, the bank has issued more than 700 loans totaling $240 million to Centre County businesses alone. Kish provides a full suite of business support, including banking, lending, insurance, wealth management, and employee benefits.

Financially, Kish Bancorp reported $3.8 million in net income in Q2 2025, with 17.8% loan growth and a 12.18% return on equity. The bank has increased dividends for nine consecutive years and maintains strong capital ratios, underscoring its stability and long-term commitment to shareholders and the communities it serves.

In accepting the award, Hayes said, “As a publicly traded company, we’re proud that our local ownership understands the needs of our community. Decisions are made with a deep understanding of what matters here—and that’s powerful.” He added, “We want to enjoy this journey of growth over the next 125 years with you, because we understand that if our communities don’t grow, we don’t grow. We are proud to serve Centre County and excited for what’s ahead.”

Pictured left to right: Dr. Andrew Read, Senior Vice President for Research, Penn State University; Greg Hayes, President and CEO, Kish Bank; and Greg Scott, President and CEO, CBICC Photo Credit: Bona Fide Photography

About Kish Bank
Kish Bank is a $1.9 billion regional community bank that operates 19 locations, serving Centre, Mifflin, Huntingdon, Blair, and Juniata counties in Pennsylvania, as well as northeastern Ohio. Other business units of Kish Bank include Kish Insurance, Kish Financial Solutions, Kish Benefits Consulting, and Kish Travel. Kish Bank is a subsidiary of Kish Bancorp, Inc., trading under the OTCQX stock ticker symbol of KISB. Kish Bank is an Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. For more information, please visit MyKish.com.

###