The Top 6 Benefits Of Banking Locally
If there is one thing we have more of today than our ancestors, it is choice. Take an extra second in the toothpaste aisle next time you are at the store and we doubt you will disagree. We have a lot of choices.
And in most cases, choice is good. Not everyone is built the same, thinks the same, or has the same needs so a variety is nice. In business, choices are also good since competition typically raises the bar and lowers the price.
We know that our customers have choices for their banking needs. And our offices genuinely appreciate that our customers choose to do business, locally, with us. Over the years (and that’s more than a few years since we opened in 1901) we love to hear our customers tell us why they like to bank locally.
Here are few of those reasons:
1. A Real Connection
No one else is just like you. You deserve to be treated as a valued individual because there is no one in the world exactly like you.
You deserve personalized attention and care. A banker who knows you personally can help you and your unique situation when you need it. They can anticipate what you need because they know who you are and what you do.
Think of the theme song from the 80’s TV Show, Cheers. It makes you smile. And of course makes you want to sing … Sometimes you wanna go … Where everybody knows your name. And they’re always glad ya came.
We feel that way about our customers. Our employees enjoy getting to know every single customer and forming a real connection.
Your presence means something to us.
2. Convenience
There is nothing more convenient than having something right near you when you need it. (Tell that to your car keys the next time they walk off!)
A local bank is right where you need it when you need it.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) states that, “community banks added more than 700 offices between June 2017 and June 2018, whereas non-community banks shrunk by 384 offices over the same period.” Community banks wish to be right where you need them, when you need them.
We aren’t going anywhere. You can rely on us.
3. Local Resources Return To Your Community
When you invest locally, the money stays local to grow and support where you live and work. It is a bit like watering a tree’s roots so the branches stretch far and wide to offer shade and comfort to a wide group of people. Local resources stay local and support your community.
According to the Independent Community Bankers of America community banks comprise 99 percent of U.S. bank charters and make 60 percent of the nation’s small business loans and 82 percent of national agricultural loans. Megabanks send your money out to other states and across the nation. But when you bank locally, your community bank invests your money back into your neighborhood. Your money is used to grow your local economy and provide loans and services to you and your neighbors.
Invest in your community by banking locally.
4. Local Decisions
A local bank takes the surrounding economy and community into account when they make decisions. Community banks understand the unique, local needs because they live where they work. The relationships they have with members of the community give them a unique perspective that mega banks can’t begin to have. This up-close information enables local banks to approve small business loans and other loans that mega banks might reject.
That local understanding makes all the difference in the world–and in your community.
5. Wide Variety of Services
We suspect megabanks want people to think since they are bigger they have more services to offer. That is not necessarily true. Most local banks offer a huge variety of services and products AND they offer ones tailored to their specific markets.
Does a bank in New York City understand the challenges (and beauty) of the Arkansas Valley, the Pikes Peak region, or our surrounding amazing communities as well as a local bank? Nope. That is just not possible. New York may have us beat on the best slice of pizza, …but we’re not 100% sure about that one.
We offer online banking, unique products, an app, local scholarship funds, and unique offerings tailored to our customers whether they are families, ranchers, farmers, young couples, small businesses owners, artists, businesses, or an individual ready for their first account.
Ask to hear about our unique products, your loan officer or teller will be glad you did.
6. Higher Quality Service
We believe that the benefits already mentioned combine to underline this final point. When you take that connection, convenience, local investment, and variety of tailored products you get a higher quality of service.
It seems like something Dr. Seuss or Mister Rogers might say, but people who know you, care about you. When you sit next to your banker at the Friday night ballgame you benefit from that. And so do we. We love getting to know our customers. It affects our business. It is a pleasure to work hard for the people we see every day passing on the street, at church, at the grocery store, or walking our dogs.
Another way our local banks offer higher quality of service than a megabank is our low employee turnover rate. We have a lot of employees who have been with us for more than 25 years, which adds up to better service for you. An experienced employee is a tremendous asset. You get higher quality of service from a seasoned employee than from someone who is passing the time and just passing through.
Our First National Bank Colorado local offices in Las Animas, La Junta, Rocky Ford, Fowler, Ordway, Monument, and northern Colorado Springs are invested in our communities. We exist to serve you. Explore the benefits of banking locally. We welcome you to explore our better brand of banking.
Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender
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