Community Banks Build Vibrant Communities

April is Community Banking Month. We join all the community banks across the United States in this month-long celebration of the contributions we make to the local economies of the communities we serve. We are a proud member of the Independent Community Bankers of America!

News Release from the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA):

Washington, D.C. (April 1, 2019) - Community banks continue to expand and innovate to meet the needs of consumers and local communities—whether rural, suburban or urban. In honor of ICBA Community Banking Month in April, ICBA is shining a spotlight on the nation’s community banks and their role in fostering local economic prosperity. 

“As local small businesses themselves, community banks only thrive when their customers and communities flourish,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. “Local market knowledge, relationship-based lending, and civic-minded service are community banking hallmarks and the cornerstone to our industry’s success and longevity. ICBA is proud to represent America’s favorite lenders and support their ongoing efforts to create stronger, more vibrant communities—one loan at a time.” 

Community banks take in local deposits and redistribute them back into the community—making roughly 60 percent of small-business loans and 80 percent of agriculture loans from the banking sector. They also contribute tax dollars that help maintain local municipalities and keep local neighborhoods viable and vibrant because serving the best interests of customers is fundamental to their business philosophy. Community banks: 

• Are robust lenders. Community bank loan growth has outpaced that of noncommunity banks for six consecutive years.
• Offer high-touch, high-tech service. This gives consumers access to modern-day conveniences while maintaining the high-quality customer service for which community banks are known. 
• Maintain a wide branch network. Community banks added 700 offices between June 2017 and June 2018 even as our larger counterparts continued their exodus from local communities.
• Understand and embrace local businesses. Small businesses that apply for loans with community banks are the most successful and most satisfied, according to a study from the 12 Federal Reserve Banks. ICBA celebrates local entrepreneurship on the third Wednesday of every month with Go Local Wednesday by supporting and promoting local businesses on social media. 
• Give back to their communities. Civic service is second nature to community banks.