A Look Inside: Community Banking
Have you ever noticed how many financial institutions there are? Look around the next time you’re out for a drive. There is one on almost every corner. You’ll see mega banks, credit unions, mortgage companies, community banks, and more. With so many options, it can be a daunting task to figure out which one is right for you and your business. Here are some questions we are typically asked in relation to the benefits of working with a community bank:
What does it mean to be a community bank?
Community banks play an integral role in local economic development. Deposits made at River Bank & Trust are loaned to individuals and businesses in the communities we serve. By reinvesting local dollars, purchases are made, jobs are created, and our local economies thrive.
Through volunteer work and charitable giving, community banks make a positive local impact. When we aren’t at the bank helping clients, we’re lending our time and talent to non-profit organizations like the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, MACOA, the YMCA, and area food banks and pantries–just to name a few. In 2019 alone, River Bank & Trust’s contribution to the annual River Region United Way Campaign will exceed $53,000. Our financial contributions focus on health and human services, education, economic development, arts and culture, and community development. For us, banking isn’t just about dealing in dollars and cents: it’s about making a positive difference in the communities we serve.
How does working with a community bank benefit a small business?
According to the Federal Reserve’s Small Business Credit Survey: Report on Employer Firms, community banks are the small business lender of choice. The reason is the customer’s level of satisfaction with the overall banking experience. Our Relationship Managers make considerations based on their customers’ needs and individual circumstances, and loan decisions are made locally with quick and efficient turnaround. Our involvement in our communities means that we have a better handle on what impacts small and local businesses even more so than some of our larger competitors. Every interaction we have with our customers is engineered to make their entire banking experience enjoyable, informative, and tailored to their short-term and long-range plans.
At River Bank & Trust, you’ll enjoy the very latest in banking technology, along with special perks like gourmet coffee, complimentary windshield cleanings, and freshly baked cookies. We treat our customers like friends and neighbors–not like a set of account numbers. In fact, we know most of them by name.
If the sound of community banking appeals to you, we invite you to experience what River Bank & Trust has to offer. To learn more, visit our website at riverbankandtrust.com, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.