Oakworth Capital Bank, which is headquartered in Birmingham, has been ranked at the very top of American Banker’s “Best Banks to Work For” list for the second consecutive year.

Oakworth has 87 employees and assets of $619 million, according to the ranking.

In a statement celebrating the honor on Tuesday, Oakworth CEO Scott Reed said, “Our associates are our most valuable asset.”

“We know that if we invest in them, create an environment that allows them to flourish and give them the tools necessary to grow and thrive, they will in turn offer our clients the best financial services experience possible. Oakworth is honored to again be recognized for this effort,” he added.

American Banker’s snippet about Oakworth as follows:

Finding strengths: The best leaders are the ones who care about finding the right role for everyone within their organization, says Scott Reed, Oakworth Capital’s CEO.

“A leader that cares will guide an associate towards a role that fits his or her greatest strengths and ultimately his or her greatest level of achievement,” Reed said. “This is certainly true in my experience. I try very hard to understand an associate’s strengths and determine how to position them to leverage those strengths to both help the organization and move him/her towards personal and career objectives.”

Additionally, another Alabama-based bank was named in the prestigious list.

Bank Independent, headquartered in Sheffield, came in at number 36 in the national rankings. The Muscle Shoals banking icon has assets of $1.7 billion and 456 employees.

American Banker’s writeup about Bank Independent as follows:

A change of philosophy: Bank Independent CEO Rick Wardlaw has changed his leadership style during his career. Early in his career, he was focused on goals and the bottom line. Now he is more driven by “servant leadership,” which turns the traditional leadership hierarchy upside. Wardlaw serves his leadership team, who in turn serve the managers they oversee.

“Where before I saw people as human doings, I now see people as human beings,” Wardlaw said. “A servant heart is where I believe one will find their significance. My desire is for all of our team members to feel significant in serving each other, our customers and our community.”

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn