David Williams

ESCANABA — Upper Peninsula State Bank President and CEO David Williams has been awarded the “Best of Community Banking Award” for 2025 from the Community Bankers of Michigan (CBM). Williams will be recognized at the CBM Annual Convention & Expo on September 10-12 in Traverse City. Doug Ouellette, Mercantile Bank Chief Community Banking Officer, is the additional recipient of this award.

The Best of Community Banking Award recognizes the contributions and success of Michigan community bankers. Special recognition is given to community bankers who have made significant contributions to their communities and the community banking industry.

James North, CBM President and CEO stated, “I am so pleased both David and Doug were selected to receive the 2025 Best of Community Banking Award. They both personify the term “community banker” in so many ways, including long and successful careers in the industry; notable community engagement; and steady involvement in advocacy and service to our industry at both the state and national levels.”

Williams’ career started at a small community bank in Houghton, followed by many years in larger banks in lower Michigan and Ohio with a long-established personal goal of returning to the Upper Peninsula and running and growing a community bank. For the last 25 years, he has guided Upper Peninsula State Bank’s brand of banking from one market to now several, all with a focus on customer and community service. Over his career, he has been committed to countless community service organizations and has served both State and National trade banking associations and currently serves as a Michigan Federal Delegate for the Independent Community Bankers of America and is a long-standing member of FIS’s Strategic Planning Advisory Council.

Bob Bink, Chairman of Upper Peninsula State Bank, commented “David’s passion for what we do is remarkable! As a community bank, we are the center of commerce for our communities, and his leadership has created an amazing banking team whose sole focus is bringing the best in community banking to our markets.”

Williams stated, “I am honored and humbled by this recognition, but in reality, it should be considered a team win. Every day, this banking team brings their best as we chart our path forward, bringing forth cutting edge technology delivered with a personal and caring touch.”

Upper Peninsula State Bank is a full-service bank established in 1902 and with offices in Escanaba, Iron Mountain, Gladstone, Marquette and Houghton.