The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated a strong 2015 for its member businesses Thursday night, and you can take that to the bank.

That’s because two longtime Austin Banks took home the top awards at the annual chamber banquet at the Austin Holiday Inn Conference Center. Home Federal Savings Bank, formed in 1934, was named Small Business of the Year, and U.S. Bank, chartered in 1868 as First National Bank of Austin, took home Large Business of the Year.

“It was unexpected,” Home Federal Market President Tom Klapperich said. “Being nominated was unexpected. Like I said, it was a great honor because there was a lot of quality businesses that were nominated. We’re honored to have the win.”

Home Federal, which has 11 employees at its Austin branch, is involved in numerous aspects of the chamber and the community, from Freedom Fest to Christmas in the City, the 100 Club, Ladies Night Out, ACCESS scholarships and more.

U.S. Bank Market President Paul Baessler called the award a great honor for him and his 18 employees.

“We work hard to be good productive members of our community and we support in every way we can,” Baessler said.

U.S. Bank has been a chamber member for 52 years. Baessler and his employees also give back to the community in several ways, such as serving as ambassadors, hosting Business After Hours, and sponsoring several chamber and community events.

The U.S. Bank Foundation Grant program provided more than $12,000 to local nonprofits in 2015, including the United Way of Mower County and other organizations, according to Baessler.

Torge’s Live took home Project of the Year for its addition of a three-season patio.

“We’re really looking forward to some warm weather so we can start seeing you out on the patio,” General Manager Tracy Benesh said.

In other awards, Sterling State Bank President Barry Irish won Volunteer of the Year, Austin Public Schools’ Sharon Alms’ team won Team of the Year, and the Austin Daily Herald’s Brenda Landherr tied with Hormel Foods Corp.’s Randy Arhart for Ambassador of the Year.

The theme for this year’s banquet was the Future’s So Bright, and chamber President Tim Fritz noted Austin made big investments in its future in 2015 when $75 million in building permits were approved. Fritz, a Hormel Foods executive, highlighted the many projects currently underway in Austin.

Those include the Spam Museum, Hormel Foods Corp.’s research and development facility, Austin Utilities’ new facility, The Hormel Institute’s projects, and work to convert the former Oak Park Mall into a new Hy-Vee.

“It’s really going to be an exciting addition to the city and the whole county as well,” Fritz said of work at the former mall.

Chamber Executive Director Sandy Forstner said the chamber saw success in many of its key events in 2015, like the AMIGO Days golf outing, Christmas in the City and Freedom Fest. He also said AustinWorks continued to welcome new residents to Austin, while the chamber made significant contributions to Buy Mower, Grow Mower and We Are Austin, programs to encourage local purchases.

“We believe that when businesses succeed, everyone benefits,” Forstner said.

Forstner said the chamber represented 392 businesses, which employ more than 10,000 people, in 2015.

“Last year was a good year for our chamber, and I think for a majority of our members,” Forstner said.