2026 Business of the Year - The Apple Creek Banking Company

Congratulations to The Apple Creek Banking Company on being named the 2026 Business of the Year Award recipient!

Leo Miller

President & CEO

For 122 years, The Apple Creek Banking Company has served as a trusted financial partner for individuals, families, and businesses across Wayne, Stark, Summit, and surrounding counties. With more than $260 million in assets, six branches, and one loan origination office, the locally owned, independent community bank has grown steadily while remaining deeply rooted in the people and places it serves. Through its focus on relationships, local decision-making, and long-term community investment, The Apple Creek Banking Company has earned recognition as the 2026 Business of the Year.

The bank was established on February 1, 1904, when 50 local investors came together to meet the financial needs of the Apple Creek community. For its first 75 years, operations remained exclusively in Apple Creek before expanding in 1979 with its first Wooster-area branch. Growth continued into the 1980s with the opening of a downtown Wooster location, marking the beginning of a broader regional presence that continues today. More than a century later, many families of the original shareholders remain involved, continuing a tradition of local ownership and stewardship.

President and CEO Leo Miller brings more than 35 years of banking experience to The Apple Creek Banking Company. He joined the bank in 2004 as Chief Lending Officer and became president in 2014. When he arrived, around 85 to 90 percent of the bank's loan portfolio consisted of home and auto loans, leaving much of the commercial lending market to out-of-town institutions. Through intentional growth and long-term vision, the bank’s portfolio now consists of about 85 percent commercial and 15 percent consumer lending. While Miller’s leadership guided the transition, he credits the bank’s continued success to the team across its locations and the culture they have built together, known for providing personable, reliable, and trustworthy service. The bank’s recent success is also attributed to its active and supportive local Board of Directors, who are successful, committed community leaders.

Miller emphasizes leadership rooted in honesty, integrity, and open communication. “We’re all in it together,” he said. “We’re here to make our customers’ lives better and provide a fair return to our shareholders.” With an open-door approach, he strives to know his employees, ensuring they feel supported and empowered to serve their communities well.

Beyond lending and account services, The Apple Creek Banking Company remains deeply involved in the community. Employees participate on local boards and in civic organizations, including West View Healthy Living, the Wooster Lions Club, Goodwill Industries of Wayne and Holmes Counties, The Christian Children’s Home of Ohio, Home Builders Association, Realtors Association, Habitat for Humanity, and numerous school programs. The bank also invests financially in the region, supporting schools, nonprofits, community events, and sponsorship opportunities, demonstrating that small, consistent contributions can create meaningful, lasting impact.

The bank is a longtime presenting sponsor of the Wayne County Home and Garden Show, hosted by the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, and remains an active member, sponsoring events such as Woosterfest. Jeff Smith, Executive Vice President Chief Lending Officer, has been instrumental in the bank’s Chamber involvement, serving on the board for several years and on the Home and Garden Show committee. His leadership reflects the bank’s approach of staying connected, supporting local organizations, and being a dependable community partner. Bank employees also regularly attend and support Chamber events and programs, including the Annual Golf Outing, Woosterfest, and Leadership Wooster.

That commitment has not gone unnoticed, as Chamber President & CEO Samira Zimmerly reflected:

“For 122 years, The Apple Creek Banking Company has exemplified what it means to be a true community partner. Their success is rooted not only in sound financial leadership, but in a steadfast commitment to supporting local businesses, nonprofits, schools, and civic initiatives. Through economic shifts and generational change, they have remained deeply invested in the long-term strength and vitality of our region. This Business of the Year recognition reflects an institution that leads with stability, integrity, and an enduring dedication to the communities it serves.”

Through economic cycles, The Apple Creek Banking Company has remained a steady presence. During the 2008 recession, the bank’s conservative lending approach helped ensure stability at a time when many larger institutions struggled. Rather than chasing short-term gains, the bank remained committed to responsible practices, allowing it to continue serving customers and supporting the community through challenging times. This unwavering dedication is made possible by the faithful employees and all-star leadership team, whose commitment to community banking remains at the heart of the bank’s success.

Looking ahead, the bank is committed to providing both the financial tools and personal service that local residents and businesses need to succeed while staying invested in the community. Miller hopes to ensure that as The Apple Creek Banking Company grows, it continues as a locally owned, independent institution, making decisions in the community’s best interest for generations to come.

For Miller and the entire Apple Creek Banking Company team, the 2026 Business of the Year award is not just a recognition of longevity or growth. It honors the relationships, trust, and everyday investments that have defined the bank for more than a century. “Without this community, we wouldn’t exist–it’s everything,” shared Miller. The community’s trust in the bank to be good stewards of their hard-earned money allows it to continue serving the community for the long term.

The Business of the Year Award is presented annually to a business for its longevity in the community, positive impact on the local economy, contributions to the community’s well being, their concern for the well being of its employees and support of the Chamber.