Hope for tomorrow......

There is hope for a better tomorrow and the banking system (at the local level) can and will be a big part of recovery.

Local level community banks are owned and operated by people you know and trust rather than a foreign country that is far removed from your reality. Community bankers go to the same Little League fields and dance recitals as you and they care about the well being of families, businesses, and the neighborhoods you share. Community banks’ sponsorships and donations to local organizations are generous; and, upstanding bank officers’ volunteer service and leadership have a far-reaching impact on building healthy communities. Beyond their “heart”, community banks, for the most part, are well capitalized and in a strong position to provide a safe place for saving and borrowing money.

As individuals become more fiscally responsible and conservative, good old fashioned savings accounts and certificates of deposit provide a guaranteed principle, safe and secure option. Deposits are insured by FDIC for up to $250,000 or more (depending on account titling). In addition to providing safety, soundness and interest, those same deposits fuel business growth within the local community. Community bankers have wisdom, knowledge, experience, and integrity. They are familiar with their borrowers and the marketplace which enables them to make sound decisions. Community banks connect community people to community businesses by providing loans that fuel the economy, create jobs, and sustain growth.

Don’t forget that you, too, play a role in recovery:
· Choose to fuel the economy by placing your business and personal deposits in a local community bank
· Choose a bank that understands and supports your industry
· Choose a banker that that is qualified to be a business advisor and cares enough to be a partner to help you enhance your practice and your patients’ experiences
· Choose to be part of the solution