Campaign encouraged by ICBA and Gateway, Intracoastal, Reunion and Surety
DAYTONA BEACH -- The Independent Community Bankers of America and the local community banks including Gateway, Intracoastal, Reunion and Surety, are kicking off ICBA Community Banking Month by encouraging small business owners and consumers to bank locally.
By doing so, customers will make a hometown investment they can be proud of because community banks put local deposits back to work right where it belongs-in the community.
"Community banks help area families achieve financial stability while also driving small business lending in their communities, all of which helps their local economy and community to thrive," said Bill Loving, ICBA chairman and president and CEO of Pendleton Community Bank in Franklin, W.Va.
"Community banks help area families achieve financial stability while also driving small business lending in their communities, all of which helps their local economy and community to thrive," said Bill Loving, ICBA chairman and president and CEO of Pendleton Community Bank in Franklin, W.Va.
Loving added, "Throughout the month of April, our goal is to celebrate the unique role that community banks serve in our nation's economic system while helping to educate consumers and small business owners about the benefits of banking locally with their community bank."
By driving local economies and creating local jobs, community banks are an integral part of our nation's financial system,he and other banking officials insist.
With nearly 5,000 members, representing more than 24,000 locations nationwide and employing 300,000 Americans, ICBA members hold $1.3 trillion in assets, $1.1 trillion in deposits, and $800 billion in loans to consumers, small businesses and the agricultural community.
There are almost 7,000 community banks, including commercial banks, thrifts, stock and mutual savings institutions, with more than 50,000 locations throughout the US. Assets may range from less than $10 million to $10 billion or more. Community banks constitute 96.8 percent of all banks.
"Your local community banks are relationship lenders that only thrive when their customers and communities do the same, so taking care of our customers and looking out for the best interest of our community is the way we do business," said the local Flagler and Volusia community banks noted above chief executive officers collectively.
To find your community bank, visit ICBA's Community Bank Locator at banklocally.org.