ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) — David Williams, president and CEO of Upper Peninsula State Bank, has been named a recipient of the 2025 Best of Community Banking Award from the Community Bankers of Michigan.
Williams will be recognized Sept. 10-12 at the CBM Annual Convention and Expo in Traverse City, alongside Doug Ouellette, Mercantile Bank’s chief community banking officer. The award honors community bankers who have made significant contributions to their communities and the industry.
Williams has led Upper Peninsula State Bank for 25 years, overseeing its growth from one market to several across the U.P. He said the honor reflects his team’s dedication to serving the region.
“As a community bank, we take in deposits in our communities and we churn those deposits back into our community in the form of loans and investments,” Williams said. “We help businesses get started. We help people buy homes. We help them do home improvements. That’s how we differentiate ourselves as a community bank. What happens here stays here.”
Williams began his career at a small bank in Houghton before working in larger institutions downstate and in Ohio. He returned to the U.P. with a goal of running and growing a community bank. In addition to his banking role, he has served in leadership positions for state and national associations, including as a Michigan federal delegate for the Independent Community Bankers of America.
Bob Bink, chairman of Upper Peninsula State Bank, praised Williams’ leadership, calling his passion “remarkable” and crediting him with building a team focused on community service.
Williams said the award is “a team win” and emphasized that the bank will continue to expand its footprint, with a new project underway in Houghton.
Upper Peninsula State Bank was established in 1902 and has offices in Escanaba, Iron Mountain, Gladstone, Marquette and Houghton.
