November 2019 - Value of the Community Bank

Each month Community Bankers Association of Georgia (CBA) designs promotional items to help member banks celebrate different aspects of Community Banking! We offer themed promotional materials to use for your website and social media channels including banners, profile frames, square overlays, hashtags, quotes and facts.

This November, Community Bankers Association of Georgia is helping community banks spread the word about the value community banks bring to their bank customers. Take advantage of these graphics to promote the campaign. Listed below are a few facts about the benefits of banking with a community bank and how it impacts your local economy and community. 

Graphics for Social Media
​LinkedIn Cover Banner
Twitter Cover Banner​
​Facebook Cover Banner
Social Media Post Image

Facts on the value of banking with a community bank:

• Research has shown average fees for checking accounts and other depository services are lower at community banks than at large, multi-state institutions.
• Community banks offer lower rates than the big banks, and unlike credit unions, are not subsidized by taxpayer money.
• Community banks offer nimble decision-making on business loans because decisions are made locally. Big banks must often convene loan-approval committees located in another state, far away from their customers.
• Community bank officers know their customers and may consider family history and discretionary spending in making loans. Megabank loan officers apply impersonal qualification criteria, such as credit scoring, without regard to individual circumstances.
• Community banks offer a wide range of banking services and products designed to meet the needs of consumers and businesses.
• As high-tech, high-touch local financial institutions, community banks work with their customers to ensure they have access to innovative products and services while partnering with and investing in financial technology providers.
• Community banks are the primary source of lending for small businesses and farms. Even though they compose just 10% of the banking industry by assets, community banks with less than $1 billion in assets made 37.5% of outstanding bank loans to small businesses.
• Since community banks are themselves small business, they know how to best serve small businesses. 79 percent of independent businesses that use community banks report they are satisfied with their overall experience, compared with 67 percent for large banks and just 49 percent for online lenders.
• As local small businesses themselves, community banks only thrive when their customers and communities flourish. They answer to Main Street. Megabanks are driven by shareholder value and answer to Wall Street.
• Community banks’ boards of directors are made up of local citizens who want to advance the interests of the towns and cities where they live and where their banks do business.
• Community banks reinvest deposits almost exclusively within their local communities. Nearly 95% of the bank’s investment is put back in your community through residential mortgages, small business loans, agricultural and student loans.
• Community banks are constantly volunteering and giving back to their local community.
• Community banks are local businesses which bring local jobs to their community.
• Banks are led by local people — neighbors, family, and friends are employed by local community banks.

​More is available on ICBA’s website: https://www.icba.org/about/community-banking