Community banks are becoming more common and relevant to American communities because of their better rates and their investment in the development of their customers. Such banks offer loans at better rates and help their customers grow their wealth.
If you’ve been considering using a community bank for your financial needs, here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy.
More Personal Relationships with Customers
When you bank with a community bank, there’s more of an opportunity to develop a personal relationship. This means more flexibility in the loans they offer and more willing to help with personal problems. The person you’re dealing with at your local bank is probably friends with some of your neighbors, so they’ll know if something happens that could affect your ability to pay back on time.
Community banks also tend to be more customer-focused because their customers are likely very similar in background and values. They have smaller staffs than national banks, but this doesn’t necessarily mean less service—it just means that the service which does exist is better tailored toward those individuals within their communities who have shared experiences.
Fewer Banking Fees
When you open an account with a bank, it’s likely that you’ll be asked to sign a contract that lists the fees associated with your account. You may want to avoid any fees as much as possible, but there are some fees that are unavoidable. For example:
- Account maintenance fee
- Transaction fee (charged for each transaction)
- Balance inquiry fee (charged for each inquiry)
If you can identify these common types of fees, you can avoid them by choosing a community bank instead of one of the big banks. Community banks tend not to charge these kinds of fees because they don’t have all the overhead costs associated with running large branches in multiple cities and states. They also have fewer employees on staff who could be paid higher salaries if more money was taken in through high-cost checking accounts and credit cards.
Invested in the Community and Supporting Local Businesses
Community banks such as OneUnited bank, headed by Kevin Cohee, are deeply invested in their communities. They provide loans to local businesses and charitable organizations, which help contribute to the economy of an area. In fact, community banks have been proven to be more likely than large national banks to support small businesses with loans and investments, according to a report by the Independent Community Bankers Association (ICBA).
Community banks also support charities within the community. The ICBA reports that community bankers donate nearly $9 billion annually from their personal or business assets; this makes up over half of all charitable donations given by financial institutions nationwide each year!
Conclusion
Community banks offer better services than larger banks and are better designed to help their customers prosper. They have lower banking fees and better rates on loans. These are some of the reasons why you should consider banking with a community bank.
