Robert Steen, CEO of Bridge Community Bank in Mechanicsville, Iowa, was honored with the Robert D. Dixon Founders Award presented at the 46th annual convention of the Community Bankers of Iowa on July 19 in Okoboji. The award is the highest honor bestowed by CBI.
The award, established in 2003, was created to recognize bankers who have devoted their lives, and livelihoods, to their communities. Honorees embody commitment and represent “the best in community banking.” The award is named for Robert D. Dixon, who co-founded Community Bankers of Iowa (then Iowa Independent Bankers) in 1971.
Steen, who has been in banking for more than 45 years, is a leader in payment system issues. He recently served on the Federal Reserve’s Faster Payments Task Force representing small banks.
Steen serves on the board of directors of SHAZAM, and he serves on the ICBA Bank Operations & Payment Committee. Also, he served a three-year term on the board of the National Automated Clearing House Association.
In 2013, Bank Innovation recognized Steen as one of the “10 Most Innovative CEOs” in U.S. banking.
Steen’s $90 million bank was among the first in Iowa to introduce electronic check imaging.
Accepting the award from 2016-17 CBI President Tim German, F&M Bank, Cedar Rapids, Steen called the honor a “complete surprise.”
Past recipients of the award include Robert J. Dixon, Citizens State Bank, Sheldon in 2016; Marti Tomson Rodamaker, First Citizens Bank, Mason City in 2015; Steve Lane, Security Savings Bank, Gowrie in 2014, and Dale Torpey, Federation Bank, Washington in 2013.