How Phelps County Bank Invests in People to Strengthen Community

Since launching its Pride in Ownership program in 2011, Phelps County Bank has logged more than 10,000 volunteer hours across the region. The program rewards employees for community involvement by offering small incentives for volunteer work completed outside business hours.

“Community engagement is a core part of our culture,” says Chris Wilkins, marketing director at the 100% employee-owned community bank. “We’ve seen how giving back strengthens both our team and the communities we serve. To make volunteering more accessible, we help remove barriers like childcare, meals and travel costs.”

What began as a grassroots effort has evolved into a structured companywide initiative led by Phelps County Bank’s Community Champions committee. The group identifies volunteer opportunities, coordinates participation and ensures the bank maintains a visible presence in every community it serves.

Phelps County Bank employee-owners have coached sports, served on nonprofit boards, staffed events and even helped with post-disaster recovery efforts. After a tornado struck Rolla, the response was immediate—team members volunteered their time, delivered meals to first responders and helped with cleanup. Even employees from Springfield showed up to lend a hand. “It shows how committed our team is and how this program brings people together,” Wilkins says.

For Phelps County Bank, volunteerism isn’t simply an act of goodwill—it’s a strategy that reinforces the company’s ownership mindset. “When our employee-owners see the collective results of their efforts, it strengthens their pride and sense of responsibility,” Wilkins says. “They understand what it means to be part of something bigger.”

That mindset translates to measurable business outcomes. The bank’s employee satisfaction and retention rates remain consistently high, and community engagement has become a differentiator that strengthens customer loyalty. “While the most meaningful outcomes of the program are often felt rather than measured, we’ve seen the positive impact,” Wilkins says. “When employees feel supported, pride in ownership becomes real.”

The Pride in Ownership program was introduced by Wendy Young, now senior vice president and loan officer. Early on, the bank faced typical challenges like tracking hours and ensuring fairness, but its culture of ownership made it easy to gain traction.

For business owners and executives considering similar initiatives, Wilkins suggests starting with culture, not policy. “Community involvement has been a pillar of our company since we started,” Wilkins says.

“We believe every act of engagement makes a difference.”

That philosophy—rooted in service, connection and shared ownership—has defined Phelps County Bank for decades.

If Wilkins had to describe the company culture in three words, they’d be connected, caring and driven. Or, as he puts it: “We want every employee-owner to know that what they do matters—because it truly does.”