Washington, D.C. – April 20, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — During ICBA Community Banking Month, the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) celebrates the nation’s more than 6,000 community banks, which build stronger communities by helping local customers gain financial stability through quality products and services and access to financial literacy information and tools.
“Community banks are relationship lenders that only thrive when their customers and communities do the same,” said ICBA Chairman Jack Hartings, president and CEO of The Peoples Bank Co., Coldwater, Ohio. “As community bankers, we strive to educate our customers so they understand financial terms, products and how to manage their money, but ultimately it’s up to the customer to be knowledgeable and make the right choices.”
ICBA has an ongoing commitment to promoting financial literacy, encouraging its members to provide programs within their communities and forging government, nonprofit and private-sector partnerships, such as with the Jump$tart Coalition, America Saves Week and the FDIC Money Smart program.
“Taking care of our customers and communities is ingrained in the way community banks conduct their business. Treating every customer with respect is what we do,” said Hartings. “By helping our customers succeed and providing financial education, we help our local communities succeed. Financial literacy allows consumers to be empowered to make the right financial choices that lead them to a lifetime of financial stability and prosperity.”
There are more than 6,000 community banks, including commercial banks, thrifts, stock and mutual savings institutions. Assets may range from less than $10 million to $10 billion or more. Across the nation, community banks operate 52,000 locations, employ 700,000 Americans and hold $3.6 trillion in assets, $2.9 trillion in deposits and $2.4 trillion in loans to consumers, small businesses and the agricultural community.
To find your local community bank, visit ICBA’s Community Bank Locator at www.banklocally.org. To follow the conversation on ICBA Community Banking Month, follow the hashtag #BankLocally on Twitter.
About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America®, the nation’s voice for more than 6,000 community banks of all sizes and charter types, is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education and high-quality products and services.
