Nashville, Tenn. (March 14, 2025) — Jack E. Hopkins, president and CEO of CorTrust Bank in Sioux Falls, S.D., was elected chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) for 2025-26. His term begins March 14 following the conclusion of ICBA LIVE in Nashville.
In an address to attendees, Hopkins applauded community banks for weathering the pandemic, a challenging interest rate environment, and mounting regulations, and urged them to build upon their past successes by working together to affect a positive outcome for local communities across America.
"Community banking in the United States is a unique model not found in the rest of the world," Hopkins said. “I am calling on all my banking friends, here and at home, to amplify their voices and be heard. If we all speak up in unison, our amplified voices will make a difference. ICBA has consistently been successful when we all work together,” Hopkins said, concluding his remarks with a call for community bankers to join him for ICBA Capital Summit in May.
Hopkins serves in many leadership roles at ICBA. He is chairman of the ICBA Executive Committee and board of directors, a member of ICBA’s Federal Delegate Board and its Policy Development and Nominating Committees. He also serves as Executive Committee liaison for the Legislative Issues Subcommittee.
Active at the local level as well, Hopkins served as president and chairman for the Independent Community Bankers of South Dakota from 1999 to 2001. Additionally, he is chair of the University of South Dakota Foundation’s Audit Committee.
"As a third-generation community banker, Jack learned the business from the ground up and has devoted his professional career to improving the financial lives of the customers CorTrust Bank serves,” said ICBA Immediate Past Chairman Lucas White, president of The Fountain Trust Co. in Covington, Ind. “He brings that same passion and dedication to his role as ICBA chairman, continuing his work over the last 25 years advocating on behalf of community banking. We are fortunate to have Jack’s wisdom and experience as we navigate new political waters and work to advance meaningful reforms that will strengthen and shape the future of community banking for years to come."
ICBA is the only national advocacy organization dedicated exclusively to promoting the interests of locally operated community banks and savings institutions. With the high-tech, high-touch banking services that consumers expect, community banks offer the best financial-services options for millions of consumers, small businesses, and agricultural enterprises.
For more information, including a bio for Hopkins, visit ICBA’s website.
About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation’s community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation.
As local and trusted sources of credit, America’s community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers’ financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at icba.org.
