Community banks make your community better, stronger

Where you choose to bank matters. That’s the message that the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) and First Community Bank and Trust (FCBT) are sending loud and clear this April, ICBA Community Banking Month. Consumers have the power to make change happen at the community level. They can do this by using their community bank and putting their money to work in the neighborhoods they live.

“Where you choose to bank matters.”

“Your choice of bank is your vote on where your money goes. Is the money reinvested back in the community, or sent off to another state or around the world?” said Scott Heitkamp, ICBA’s chairman and President & CEO of ValueBank Texas of Corpus Christi, Texas. “Funds deposited in a community bank are therefore redistributed back into the community in the form of loans to residents and entrepreneurs.”

From local farms to startups, banking locally with a community bank connects the customer to the neighborhood. Because of this, everyone has a stake in its financial success. Here are a few reasons why:

• Community banks respect the communities they serve by doing right by their customers and community.
• Community banks and local communities they serve have symbiotic relationships, therefore one cannot thrive without the other.
• They are relationship lenders, so they know their customers and understand their financial needs. Unlike larger institutions that take a transaction-based approach to banking.
• Community banks understand and celebrate local economies. Due to being small businesses themselves, community banks are a resource for entrepreneurs looking to launch a small business. A study from seven Federal Reserve Banks proved interesting results. Businesses that applied for loans with a community bank were most successful. ICBA also celebrates local business on the third Wednesday of every month with Go Local Wednesday. This day allows community bankers and consumers share stories about supporting local businesses via social media.
• In addition, we’re giving back to our communities. Serving local communities is second nature to community banks, reflected in ICBA’s Community Bank Service Awards.

“We care about our customers.”

“FCBT is honored to serve the lending needs of Beecher, Peotone and the surrounding communities. We care about our customers. Because of this, the bank is dedicated to helping our local residents and towns,” said Greg Ohlendorf, President and CEO. “ICBA Community Banking Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate community banking. We celebrate in our town and in communities across the nation. We’re always spreading the positive story of our industry and the communities we serve.”

To find your local community bank, visit ICBA’s Community Bank Locator at www.icba.org/bank-locally. To follow the ICBA Community Banking Month conversation on social media, do so by following the #BankLocally hashtag on Twitter.

ABOUT ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America®, the nation’s voice for more than 5,800 community banks of all sizes and charter types, is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education and high-quality products and services.