From Tyler Brown, State Bank of Southern Utah
Eric Schmutz, President & CEO of State Bank of Southern Utah, was presented the 2024 Distinguished Banker Award at the 114th Annual Utah Bankers Association Convention.
The Distinguished Banker Award, first presented in 1985, is given periodically to a Utah banker who makes a lasting impact on his or her institution, community, and the banking industry. Schmutz is the 28th recipient of the UBA’s highest honor.
During his nearly 40 years at State Bank, Schmutz has driven incredible growth for the bank, and has been a respected leader in the industry, serving on the Board of State Bank Advisors, ABA Community Bankers Council, and the Board of Directors of the UBA, in which he was elected Chairman in June 2021.
Despite a busy banking career, Eric and his wife Brenda are very active in their community and church. He has served as a Bishop, Stake President, and Area Seventy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Southern Utah University and was the voice of Cedar High football and basketball for over 20 years.
Eric loves helping people and businesses realize their financial goals and aspirations. He has always felt the need to give back to others, which is why he and the bank are such a dependable presence in our communities. The bank sponsors numerous festivals, parades and scholarships and is a regular sponsor for scoreboards throughout Southern Utah, all of which earned him a lifetime achievement from the Chamber of Commerce.
State Bank continues to grow under Schmutz’s leadership with a recent 20,000-square foot expansion of the corporate office in Cedar City, a new Washington Fields office in St. George, and the announcement of a new building for the bank’s Kanab location.
“The continued growth of the bank is another testament of the need for a true community bank that builds relationships, understands the community, and makes local decisions,” said Schmutz. “We are grateful for the continued support of our customers that make this growth necessary. The mission of the bank is to improve the lives of our customers, employees, and the communities we serve is as true today as it was when the bank was founded 67 years ago.”
State Bank has been serving southern Utah since 1957. The bank holds $2.5 billion in assets locally and operates 17 branches across 14 cities and towns – Cedar City, Circleville, Delta, Escalante, Fillmore, Gunnison, Hurricane, Kanab, Orderville, Parowan, Richfield, Santa Clara, St. George, and Tropic. For more information about State Bank of Southern Utah, visit their website at sbsu.com.
Photo caption: From left to right: Howard Headlee, President – Utah Bankers Association, Brenda Schmutz, Eric Schmutz, President & CEO State Bank of Southern Utah, Andrea Moss – 2024 UBA Chairman
Photo credit: the UBA