HEPPNER – BEO Bancorp of Heppner, parent of Bank of Eastern Oregon, is among three Oregon banks US Banker magazine has ranked among the top 200 community banks in the country.

“We are extremely pleased with the recognition in US Banker magazine,” said Jeff Bailey president and CEO of Bank of Eastern Oregon. “This is testimony to the dedication of our employees and the tremendous support of our customer base.”

The magazine, a trade publication based in New York City, also named Siuslaw Financial Group of Florence and Corvallis-based Citizens Bancorp to the list. Rankings were based on average return of shareholder equity between 2007 and 2009.

At 13.66 percent average return, BEO ranked No. 25. Siuslaw was No. 33 at 13.41 percent and Citizens ranked No. 117 at 9.96 percent.

Banks with less than $2 billion in assets were eligible. The magazine reported the country has 7,607 community banks in that category.

Bailey said the company and its employees are proud of its track record. BEO has served Eastern Oregon communities for more than 65 years.

“We are delighted to be the only bank in Eastern Oregon that can make the claim of being in the top 200 community banks in the country,” he added.

Bank of Eastern Oregon, operates 12 branches and two loan production offices in nine Eastern Oregon counties. Branches are located in Arlington, Ione, Heppner, Condon, Irrigon, Boardman, Burns, John Day, Prairie City, Fossil, Moro and Enterprise. Loan production offices are in Hermiston and Ontario.