Gala Honoree Spotlight - Exchange Bank, Large Business of the Year

Exchange Bank’s relationship with our local Chamber dates back to 1906. Following the great quake, Frank Doyle, president and co-founder of Exchange Bank, joined with other business and civic leaders to form the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce and begin the rebuilding of the city and its infrastructure.

The City Council challenged the new Chamber with the slogan, "Build a bigger and better Santa Rosa." That special relationship continues today, and Exchange Bank is proud to be a Premier Member of the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber.

Since 1890, Exchange Bank has been serving the local community, not only through trusted banking and financial services, but also through charitable giving. Exchange Bank differs from national and regional banks by investing 100% of its charitable giving in the communities it serves in Sonoma County and Roseville (Placer County).

In addition, 50.44% of the Bank’s cash dividends go to the Doyle Trust which funds the Doyle Scholarship at Santa Rosa Junior College. Since 1948, the Doyle Scholarship Fund has provided $83 million to over 127,000 students.

"Giving back to the community is part of our legacy—it’s our mission and a part of Exchange Bank's culture," said Gary Hartwick, President and CEO. "Our employees demonstrate their commitment to the community through thousands of volunteer hours each year."

For the past 23 years, the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County has named Exchange Bank the corporate fundraising champion for the Human Race. Exchange Bank provides employees paid time off to participate in a long list of community and non-profit events: Teen City, Rebuilding Together, United Way’s Day of Caring, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk. Employees are also given time to serve on boards of local non-profits and share leadership talents to benefit the community.

Exchange Bank made the first Lead Challenge gift to kick-off the SRJC 100th Anniversary Campaign in 2016. Other notable contributions include a multi-year commitment to the Saralee Kunde Barn at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, continued annual support for the Redwood Empire Food Bank and Social Advocates for Youth (SAY). In total, Exchange Bank contributes to over 300 charitable organizations and non-profits each year.

Exchange Bank’s mission statement is “From generation to generation, we invest in people, business and community to build a strong future.”