Wayne Bank Recognized as 2026 U.S. Innovative Bank Leader

One of Only 107 Community Banks Nationwide Earning Data-Driven Innovation Recognition

Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is proud to announce that Wayne Bank has been recognized as a 2026 U.S. Innovative Bank Leader by Fed Fis, in partnership with Bankers Helping Bankers. The bank is one of only 107 community banks nationwide to earn this distinction out of 4,261 institutions analyzed.

The recognition is based entirely on measurable performance data, with no application or nomination process. Banks were evaluated across financial performance, technology adoption, and peer positioning.

"This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to combining innovation with the personalized service our customers expect from a community bank," said Mr. Donnelly. "We continue to invest in technology, products, and processes that make banking easier, more convenient, and more secure, while never losing sight of what matters most—building strong relationships and helping our customers, businesses, and communities succeed. Being recognized among the nation's most innovative community banks is an honor and a testament to the dedication of our employees, who work every day to make banking better for those we serve."

"These 107 banks represent the gold standard for community banking innovation," said Tanner Mayo, President of FedFis. "They're not just talking about digital transformation or customer experience—they're executing on it. The data tells a clear story: these institutions are outperforming their peers across every metric that matters."

The 2026 U.S. Innovative Bank Leaders represent the top 2.5% of community banks under $30 billion in assets. Winners span all regions and asset sizes, demonstrating that innovation capacity is determined by commitment and execution, not institutional size.

"What's remarkable is the diversity of these winners," said Matthew Smith, CEO of Bankers Helping Bankers. "From community banks less than $500 million in assets to $30 billion regional institutions, they're all proving that you don't need to be the biggest to be the most innovative. You just need to be intentional about serving your customers better than anyone else."

The recognition comes as community banks face increasing pressure to compete with larger institutions and fintech companies. The 107 recognized institutions demonstrate that community banks can not only compete but lead in innovation when they focus on measurable execution.

FedFis is the leading provider of comprehensive data and intelligence on U.S. community banks and credit unions. The company's proprietary Innovation Score measures institutional performance across financial metrics, technology adoption, and competitive positioning. Bankers Helping Bankers is a peer network connecting community bank leaders to share best practices, insights, and innovations. The organization facilitates collaboration among banks committed to serving their communities through innovation and excellence.

Wayne Bank is a subsidiary of Norwood Financial Corp., Member FDIC, and is located in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The Bank has 33 branches serving Wayne, Pike, Monroe, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Chester, Cumberland, and Lancaster Counties in Pennsylvania, along with Delaware, Sullivan, Otsego, Ontario, and Yates Counties in New York. The stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol – NWFL.