Illinois Bankers Association program supports leadership development through education, service and industry connection
ROSEMONT, IL [February 26, 2026] – Signature Bank, one of the fastest growing, independently-owned commercial banks in the Midwest, today announced it has selected two accomplished employees to participate in the 2026–2027 Future Leaders Alliance (FLA) program offered through the Illinois Bankers Association. The 14-month program is designed to support the growth of emerging banking professionals through a structured combination of education, community involvement and peer networking. The bank also recognizes two employees from the 2025–2026 FLA class who will graduate from the program in March 2026.
Connor Donohoe, Commercial Banking Representative, and Ellie Morrissey, Commercial Loan Officer, were selected for their dedication to client relationships, team collaboration and continued engagement within the Chicago business community. In their roles, they work closely with clients and internal teams to support day-to-day banking needs and long-term relationship growth.
“At Signature Bank, we look for people who take ownership, stay curious and elevate the people around them,” said Michael Kowall, Vice President, Credit Administration at Signature Bank. “Connor and Ellie have built strong momentum in their roles and they’ve earned the chance to sharpen their leadership skills through the Future Leaders Alliance. We’re proud to support their continued growth and the impact they’ll bring back to our clients and our teams.”
Joseph Bicek and Matthew Loffredo, Commercial Loan Officers, are completing the 2025–2026 Future Leaders Alliance program this March. During their participation, they advanced financial literacy outreach by speaking at several Chicago-area schools and introduced new ideas to the Bank, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence and cross-team collaboration.
Participants in the Future Leaders Alliance complete a comprehensive program that includes attending educational sessions, developing an advancement strategy project and participating in local community service focused on financial literacy. Program sessions cover a range of topics such as leadership and influence, team building, coaching, service leadership, collaboration skills, financial marketing, personal branding, the legislative process, presentation skills, accounting for bankers, asset liability management, regulatory hot topics, cybersecurity and more.
About Signature Bank
Signature Bank is celebrating 20 years as an award-winning, relationship-based commercial bank wholly owned by Signature Bancorporation, Inc., a privately funded, locally owned bank holding company founded in 2006. Headquartered in Rosemont, IL, Signature Bank provides accessible, strategic and highly individualized commercial banking services to closely held companies, as well as full-service retail banking capabilities. Technology-driven and well-capitalized, Signature Bank is currently the fastest growing, independently owned business bank in the Chicago-Wisconsin markets and is one of American Banker’s Best Banks to Work For. Visit Signature Bank online at http://www.signaturebank.bank.
About the Illinois Bankers Association
The Illinois Bankers Association is a full-service trade association dedicated to creating a positive business climate that benefits the entire banking industry and the communities they serve. Founded in 1891, the IBA brings together state and national banks and savings banks of all sizes in Illinois. Collectively, the Illinois banking industry employs more than 105,000 people in over 4,300 offices across the state.
