Iowa Bankers Association honors Jim Schipper with Leach Leadership Award

JOHNSTON – The Iowa Bankers Association (IBA) presented James M. Schipper with the James A. Leach Leadership Award at the IBA Annual Convention on Sept. 19 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

The IBA created the award in Congressman Leach’s name in 2000 following his term as chairman of the U.S. House Banking Committee. The annual James A. Leach Leadership Award recognizes a distinguished Iowa banker who, like Congressman Leach, has made significant, life-long contributions to how Iowa banks serve Iowa communities.

“James Schipper has been a national leader for Iowa banking,” said IBA President and CEO John Sorensen. “Throughout his career as a banker, community leader and regulator, he was consistent in his desire to do what’s best for the people of Iowa. His legacy of service is one that the next generation of Iowa’s community bankers can look up to and follow.”

Schipper has more than 40 years of experience as a community banker. In 1987, he organized an investor group to establish Osceola Bancorporation and obtained a de novo charter for American State Bank. He served as the charter CEO of the bank for 22 years, helping the bank build assets over $185 million. He currently serves as chairman of American State Bank.

Schipper has been an active leader for the banking industry — including serving as the superintendent of the Iowa Division of Banking from 2011 to 2015. He also has held many leadership roles with the IBA, including as a board member, treasurer and board chair in 2008.

He has served on the American Bankers Association (ABA) Government Relations Council and Community Bankers Council. He served a two-year term on the Board of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and was co-chair of the CSBS Banker Advisory Board. He has also served on the board of directors for Community Bankers of Iowa and SHAZAM, Inc.

Schipper has also been an active leader in his community, serving as president of the Clarke County Development Corporation, as a trustee for the Clarke County Public Hospital and on countless community boards and organizations.

“Jim has been the epitome of the successful community banker,” said Mick Guttau, chair of the award nominating committee. “He not only has a heart for serving his clients and community, but also his industry through his leadership roles with the IBA and the Iowa Division of Banking.”

Past award recipients include Brad Davis of Hampton State Bank; Nancy Dunkel of Fidelity Bank & Trust in Dubuque; Robert Rigler of Security State Bank in New Hampton; Thomas Huston of Columbus Junction State Bank in Columbus Junction; Thomas Gronstal of Carroll County State Bank in Carroll; Mick Guttau of TS Bank in Treynor; Alan Tubbs of Maquoketa State Bank; Oliver Hansen of Liberty Trust & Savings Bank in Durant; Edward Tubbs of Maquoketa State Bank; Arnie Schultz of GNB Bank in Grundy Center; O. Jay Tomson of First Citizens National Bank in Mason City; Don Carmody of Henry County Bank in Mount Pleasant; Jeff Plagge of Northwest Financial Corp. in Arnolds Park; Paul Johnson of Iowa State Bank in Algona; Dan Krieger of Ames National Corp.; and Holmes Foster of Banks of Iowa, Inc.

About the Iowa Bankers Association 

The Iowa Bankers Association represents Iowa banks and savings institutions. Iowa bankers are committed to the values of honesty, hard work and community service, and have been a trusted resource for Iowans for more than 100 years. Iowa banks offer FDIC insurance and lend more than $55.1 billion to help individuals, business owners and agriculture. More than 18,000 Iowans work at an Iowa bank, and Iowa banks donate more than $28.6 million and 784,000 volunteer hours to support local communities each year. To learn more, visit iowabankers.com.