Community banking is about engagement. Building personal relationships. Growing partnerships. Cheering successes. Offering guidance and support. Community bankers take a vested interest in your business journey because they, too, are business leaders and invested in your community. It’s often said that community banks are the heart of a community because they help build the foundations for families and businesses to succeed.
Whether you are just starting your business foundation, maintaining your growth, or looking to expand, here are eight reasons why you’ll want to consider a local community bank for your small business journey.
- Community banks are personal. You receive the one-on-one service you deserve to help you with all your business banking needs. Whatever stage your business journey, community banking is all about building a solid foundational relationship with you, becoming your long-term financial partner. Community banks welcome you by name and make it their business to serve you personally. Community banks are focused on you and your individual business. You can count on your community bank to offer sound advice for any financial decision you face now and into your future.
- You can count on quick decisions from your community bank. Because community banks operate right in your community, all decisions are made locally. Community bankers don’t have to check with someone in another state. Decisions are local and made with your success and your community in mind. Note: Community bank management, staff and board of directors live and work in their communities. Check out where your community bank president lives…a true sign of a community bank.
- Because community bankers live and work in your communities, they understand your needs. Community banks know the individuals, families, farmers and businesses in your communities. They believe healthy families and businesses help to make healthy communities. Community banks are partners in helping communities thrive. Many community banks have been serving their communities for over 100 years, so they understand your individual, specific needs.
- Community banks are nimble, mostly because they are smaller, and therefore more agile than big regional and national banks. As a result, community banks can cater to your specific needs. As your business partner, your community banker will listen to your goals and challenges and tailor a specific business package to fit your unique needs. Community banks are focused on providing solutions that bring value to your business.
- Proven community bank flexibility. In fact, community banks most often offer lower fees and better rates. Again, because community banks see every business as unique, you can depend on community banks to build a business relationship with you and recommend specific loans and services. You are not put into a broad group or classification. You are seen as a unique business that is a vital part of the community.
- Find the same great products and services at community banks. Whether you like to do your banking in person, over the phone and/or online, community banks offer most of the same products and services as the bigger banks…but with one main caveat… you are much more than a process or a transaction. You are a vital part of the community and need the personal attention as well as the digital services to make your business run successfully and efficiently.
- Community bank leaders are committed to supporting their communities and invest numerous hours and resources into local charities, schools, and municipalities. In addition, Community bank staff become bank ambassadors and volunteer their time to make a difference in their neighborhoods.
- One last thing to consider… your money stays in your community. The money that is deposited and saved in community banks stays in your communities. It’s as simple as you put money into your community bank; your community bank loans money back to individuals, families and businesses in the community. Bigger banks typically are out of state and their deposits are transferred out of our Michigan communities every night.
As community banks continue to shrink in Michigan, and across the county, KCSB is truly a gem in our communities. Founded in 1908, KCSB is the oldest independently owned and operated community bank in Kalamazoo County. For over 114 years, KCSB has operated with the same name, values and mission to serve. KCSB and its employees are committed to providing exceptional financial services to its customers and loyal support to its communities.
KCSB embodies all these reasons why you’ll want to consider a local community bank for your small business journey. Whether you are just starting your business foundation, maintaining your growth, or looking to expand, make sure you check out your community bank.
To learn more about one of KCSB’s business loans and services, see Your Guide To Business Banking, call 269.679.5291, or visit a branch office. See https://kcsbank.com/locations to find a location most convenient for you. Discover a more personal business journey with your community banker today!
Kalamazoo County State Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC.
