Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank recently won two national awards — including one for being among the nation’s most extraordinary banks.

The bank, which is celebrating its 170th anniversary, received the prestigious Banky Award from The Institute for Extraordinary Banking.

The award is reserved for the strongest community banks that consistently deliver extraordinary impact.

“We were humbled and elated but not necessarily surprised,” said Craig Zurn, the bank’s president and CEO. “Our belief is that if we do right by our customers and our employees and our communities, usually good things happen and good things come about.”

Through the annual awards, the institute shines a spotlight on banks that are the best-of-the-best — not only financial institutions, but also engines of philanthropy, innovation and community prosperity.

Zurn said it was the first time JTNB entered the contest. The application was lengthy and included many survey questions.

“We thought we had nothing to lose, so why not enter?” Zurn said.

The contest involved judges who identified JTNB as a top bank committed to serving and strengthening local communities.

“We’re proud and honored to receive this recognition and it’s really a tribute to all our wonderful staff, our loyal customers and the great communities we serve,” Zurn said. “That’s basically who we owe it to. You can’t do it on your own.”

He said so many people have made the bank the success that it is.

“As community bankers, we know relationships matter,” Zurn said. “Our community-based missions and customer-first relationships distinguish us in today’s marketplace. That commitment to support our local economy, while maintaining high service levels to our customers, especially the small businesses and municipalities, underscores the strength and importance of our role as a community bank.

“JTNB is a good corporate citizen and our actions in supporting local schools, nonprofits, businesses and other community institutions is well known.”

The bank also received the “Thank God It’s Monday!” Culture Banky Award for creating a culture in which people bring their best selves to work to make an impact on their customers and communities.

The award is the top culture award as judged by a panel of industry experts whose scores were combined with the bank’s scores from a validated culture survey, according to the institute.

“We believe that it is important for our employees to maintain a healthy work/life balance with mutual respect and understanding,” Zurn said. “We are dedicated to a people-first culture and prioritize that day in and day out. To achieve that, you need to have a culture that your employees will flourish in and take pride in.”

Zurn said that when the bank staff learned of the wins, they were ecstatic.

“They were all excited. They were elated — and of course there was a lot of hooting and hollering to celebrate it,” he said. “They are very honored.”

The bank is planning to celebrate the awards with its employees, community and clients.

“We’re working on something. It is in the works right now,” Zurn said.

While often overlooked, community banks drive small business success, fuel local economies, and serve as trusted partners deeply embedded in the communities they support, the institute noted.

“Community banks recognize the aspirations, dreams and silent hopes of small businesses and families,” said Roxanne Emmerich, chairwoman and founder of the institute. “The heart and soul of an extraordinary community bank is its visionary blueprint for its community’s success — and its commitment to making that vision real. This year’s honorees embody that standard of excellence.”

Zurn referenced a quote from Lee Iacocca: “In the end, all business operations can be reduced to three words: People, Product, and Profits.”

“Unless you’ve got a good team, you can’t do much with the other two,” Zurn said. “I am proud and honored to say that we have one great team here at JTNB.”

The bank has locations in Jim Thorpe, Nesquehoning, Lehighton, Lansford and Penn Forest Township.