March 31, 2017

Community Banking Month: An Important Celebration

As we look forward with anticipation to the warmer weather, longer days and outdoor activities, it’s notable that Dean Bank along with our fellow community banks nationwide commemorate the month of April as “Community Banking Month”.  Community Banking Month is an important endeavor that celebrates the role that community banks fill as a trusted and local source of financial products, services and solutions.  It also recognizes the integral role community banks play in helping to keep our communities financially strong. 

To emphasize this commitment, I invite you to visit any one of our Dean Bank branch offices over the next month.  All of our offices will be serving complimentary refreshments every Friday & Saturday throughout April.  Both customers and the general public are most welcome to come in say hello, have a conversation with our dedicated and professional community bankers and see firsthand the advantages a smaller, customer-focused community bank can offer.  April is the perfect time to come, as Dean Bank has just introduced a new checking account to the market.  IT Checking is the perfect account for people who frequently use other banks’ ATMs as it rebates up to 5 ATM surcharges imposed by other banks per month.  For complete details, I invite you to speak with any of our branch staff.

Community banks are independent and locally-operated institutions. The 5,500 community banks across America today are recognized for personalized individual service, lower fees and their unyielding focus on the local economy.  According to the FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile, “Community Banks increase small loans to businesses at more than twice the rate of non-community banks in 2016.”  Although in number, Community Banks represent 92% of the financial institutions servicing the industry the combined size of Community Banks account for only 13% of the industry.  Despite our smaller size “Community banks continue to hold 43 percent of all small loans to businesses” according to the FDIC report.  Each year, Community Banking Month gives Dean Bank the opportunity to honor our community and our customers.  We are proud to do our part in strengthening the economic engine that drives our local economy and are pleased to provide our customers with the local expertise that only a community bank can provide.  Our loan decisions are made locally and that gives our borrowers confidence, knowing that their loan will be considered on its merits by someone that is from the area and is familiar with them.  And after the closing you will continue to be served by our dedicated and professional community bankers.

Community banks listen carefully to the needs of its customers and neighbors.  They offer an avenue to promote local banking every day and Dean Bank has been doing so in our community for more than 125 years!  We’ll never stop listening to our customers.  Stop in and ask us how we can help solve your financial problems, big or small.

Spring is upon us, so get out and enjoy the warm weather.  Please make sure to visit any one or all of our four Dean Bank offices.  We’d love to demonstrate the commitment to our community that an event like Community Banking Month affords us the chance to do.

Sincerely,

Kevin R. Goffe
President & CEO