Rachel Costello Completes ICBA Leadership Academy

January 13, 2020

The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced that Rachel Costello, Vice President Personal Banking, of First National Bank and Trust Company in Clinton, IL, has successfully completed Community Banker University’s Leadership Academy.

ICBA’s Community Banker University is the premier professional development resource for the nation’s community bankers. Its Leadership Academy is a comprehensive leadership training curriculum that provides community bankers with the opportunity to learn leadership skills, enhance technical banking knowledge, and receive first-hand experience in advocating for the community banking industry with our nation’s policymakers.

Rachel currently serves as the Vice President of Personal Banking. Her role involves overseeing bank operations and client interactions as well as assisting with mortgage lending, strategic planning and goal setting for the bank and all employees.

“It was an incredibly unique opportunity to network with and learn from some of the nation’s community banking best," said Rachel Costello. "I have collaborated with fellow community bankers by speaking to lawmakers on Capitol Hill, immersing ourselves in leadership training, and sharing our knowledge with cutting edge technology in our field. I am honored to have had this opportunity!” 

Participants of the Leadership Academy must complete 80 hours of online coursework, which focuses on critical banking skills including regulatory compliance, management and leadership, and finance. They must also attend two ICBA LEAD FWD Summits in addition to the ICBA Capital Summit. These events are critical to grooming the next generation of community bank talent as they learn critical leadership skills and meet with their members of Congress.

“We are pleased to recognize Rachel as a graduate of the Leadership Academy,” said Lindsay LaNore, group executive vice president of Community Banker University. “Rachel is committed to professional development and the community banking industry. It’s leaders like her that are making a difference for Main Street both locally and nationally.”

To learn more about ICBA’s Leadership Academy visit https://www.icba.org/education/leadership-academy.

About First National Bank and Trust Co: First National Bank & Trust Company is a community bank located in Clinton, Illinois. Dedicated to community prosperity, the bank was chartered in 1872 under the name DeWitt County National Bank. The name was changed First National Bank and Trust Company in 1974, and was acquired by TS Banking Group in 2017. With $186 million in assets, First National Bank is dedicated to community reinvestment and gives 10% of its net income back to the community. For more information visit firstnbtc.com.

About ICBA: The Independent Community Bankers of America® creates and promotes an environment where community banks flourish. With more than 52,000 locations nationwide, community banks constitute 99 percent of all banks, employ more than 760,000 Americans and are the only physical banking presence in one in five U.S. counties. Holding more than $4.9 trillion in assets, $3.9 trillion in deposits, and $3.4 trillion in loans to consumers, small businesses and the agricultural community, community banks channel local deposits into the Main Streets and neighborhoods they serve, spurring job creation, fostering innovation and fueling their customers’ dreams in communities throughout America. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at www.icba.org.