BBB names 2026 International Torch Awards for Ethics winners

The International Association of Better Business Bureaus announced four winners of its 2026 International Torch Awards for Ethics, with honorees ranging from a small architecture firm to Hy-Vee. The awards spotlight businesses that score highly on leadership character, culture, customer trust and community impact, and winners will be recognized Sept. 16 in Denver.

Why it matters: - The Torch Awards highlight businesses that build trust through ethical leadership, not just growth or profit. - The 2026 honorees span four size categories, showing that ethics recognition reaches both small firms and large regional employers. - The awards can influence how customers, employees and local communities view the winning companies.

What happened: - The International Association of Better Business Bureaus announced the 2026 winners of the International Torch Awards for Ethics on Sept. 10, 2026. - Winners will be honored at a special event in Denver on Sept. 16, 2026. - The four winners are ONE NINE Architects in the 1-10 employee category, Roxi & Co in the 11-99 employee category, Core Bank in the 100-499 employee category, and Hy-Vee in the 500-plus employee category.

The details: - The BBB International Torch Awards for Ethics have been presented annually since 1996. - Companies were judged on four criteria: leadership character, workplace culture, customer relationships and community impact. - More than 100 businesses entered this year’s competition. - Every entrant had already earned a Torch Award in its own region. - An independent panel of business and ethics experts selected the winners. - ONE NINE Architects is a design-driven architecture and interior design firm that dedicates 10% to 30% of its professional services pro bono to people, communities and nonprofits that may not otherwise access high-quality design. - Roxi & Co. is a locally owned pet retailer and pet services company based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with a focus on pet food, supplies and dog waste cleanup services. - Roxi & Co. also emphasizes customer relationships, team investment and support for local animal rescues and community groups. - Core Bank is a locally owned financial institution headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with locations across the Omaha and Kansas City metro areas. - Core Bank focuses on relationship-driven guidance and local expertise for businesses seeking growth and long-term stability. - Hy-Vee is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 540 business units across nine Midwestern states. - Hy-Vee reported annual sales of more than $14 billion. - Hy-Vee is known for grocery, service and community commitments, and has been named by USA TODAY among the top grocery stores in America and by PEOPLE magazine among its 100 Companies That Care. - The IABBB said the competition underscores the role of ethics in sustaining trust in the marketplace.

Between the lines: - The awards frame ethics as a business advantage, not just a compliance issue. - The winner mix suggests the program values community impact and customer trust alongside traditional business performance. - Jonathan Liebert, interim CEO of IABBB, said ethical leadership is the foundation for lasting trust and that the honorees show integrity, transparency and accountability can coexist with success.

What's next: - The four winners will be recognized at the Denver event on Sept. 16. - The award program will likely continue to serve as a benchmark for BBB-accredited and regionally recognized businesses seeking broader visibility.

The bottom line: - BBB’s 2026 ethics awards put a public spotlight on companies that turn trust into a competitive advantage.