This milestone marks not only a celebration of the bank’s past but a renewed commitment to building stronger communities through relationship-based banking.
In October 2024, Blackhawk Bank & Trust ushered in a new chapter with the appointment of Christopher J. Lemon as President. Lemon’s leadership is backed by more than 40 years in community banking, but what speaks even louder is his passion for the bank’s long-held values of independence, integrity, and personal service.
“It’s an honor to lead a bank that doesn’t just talk about community – we live it every day,” shared Lemon. “Blackhawk Bank & Trust has always stood for relationships over transactions, and local decision-making over corporate mandates. My goal is to preserve that legacy while positioning us for thoughtful growth. We’re not just building a stronger bank, we’re focused on helping build stronger communities.”
The bank continues to embrace its proud identity as a locally owned institution. Their guiding motto, "Not for Sale," affirms an unwavering commitment to local ownership and independent banking in a rapidly consolidating industry. This philosophy, championed by former President and current Chairman of the Board Gerry Huiskamp, continues to guide the bank’s commitment to remaining locally owned and community-focused.
While the bank has expanded its footprint throughout Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer counties in Illinois and Scott county in Iowa, it has never lost sight of its core identity as a community bank, existing to invest in local families, businesses, and institutions. Whether through volunteerism, education, or sponsorship, community engagement is embedded in how Blackhawk Bank & Trust operates.
That’s why, annually, the bank’s 230 employees contribute well over 10,000 hours of volunteer service to more than 190 local organizations. These volunteer efforts support initiatives and organizations from financial literacy to ecological efforts to food drives, all while cultivating relationships that go beyond transactions.
With every new service and feature, the goal remains the same: to meet customers where they are and deliver dependable, personal banking built on trust. This focus on customer service and innovation is evident in new features like Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs), now with extended service hours. The combination of after-hours service from local, friendly staff is a testament to how the institution remains committed to meeting the changing needs of customers.
Further commitment to meeting customers where they are include programs like the Silver Hawk Club and the newly launched Little Hawk Club, connecting generations through shared experiences, financial education, and exclusive perks — all while reinforcing the bank’s people-first approach.
Upcoming in the bank’s 64th year is more investment into true community banking with the rebuild of the Valley Center branch in Moline, IL. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2025, with a grand reopening planned for 2026. The new facility will offer a modern, welcoming space designed to support a more convenient and personalized banking experience.
As Blackhawk Bank & Trust celebrates 64 years of resilience and growth, it remains unwavering in its promise to the people it serves: to be a dependable, relationship-based bank that stands the test of time. With a strong foundation, new leadership, and an energized commitment to its communities, the bank’s future is just as bright as its storied past, and sets the tone that they’re just getting started.