Submitted photo: Nathaniel S. Bonnell, president and CEO of Citizens Bank of West Virginia (left), was recently named Banker Advocate of the Year at the West Virginia Bankers’ 130th Annual Convention at the Greenbrier. The award was presented by Mark Mangano, president and CEO of the West Virginia Bankers Association.

Nathaniel S. Bonnell, president and CEO of Citizens Bank of West Virginia, was recently named Banker Advocate of the Year at the West Virginia Bankers’ 130th Annual Convention at the Greenbrier.

The award was presented by Mark Mangano, president and CEO of the West Virginia Bankers Association, who recognized Bonnell for his thoughtful leadership, direct advocacy, relationship development, research and industry perspective. Mangano also praised his involvement in the political action committee, legislative advocacy and administrative rule development.

Over the past year, the West Virginia Bankers Association has been actively involved in planning legislative initiatives, aligning with legislative priorities proposed by others, working to shape the policy environment, and participating in a significant effort to draft administrative rules related to a legislative initiative that will affect nearly every bank in the state.

Of particular note, over the past year a group of bank executives has worked tirelessly to assist the West Virginia State Department of Revenue in developing administrative rules to implement the statutory Security for Public Deposits Program. The Security for Public Deposits Program is designed to increase efficiency and reduce collateral requirements for banks providing deposit services to the state and its political subdivisions. The program’s benefits have depended entirely on the development of complex rules that balance the Department of Revenue’s statutory obligations with the needs of industry.

According to Mangano “Bonnell played a critical role in building trust between the Treasurer’s staff and the Bankers’ Working Group by listening carefully, proposing mutually beneficial solutions, and providing research to inform discussions. His commitment to advancing the common good exceeded all reasonable expectations and benefited our industry and the state of West Virginia.”