For many years, I worked at large, national corporate banks with locations in smaller communities. I thought that made me a community banker.

I was wrong.

Just because a bank is located within a specific, defined community doesn’t mean it’s a community bank. The difference is in the structure and the mission; it’s not about the location.

I worked in banking my whole career, and I didn’t realize that a community bank (or banker) was different – perhaps even better. If I didn’t understand the nuances, I’m guessing that others might not know the difference either.

Let me share 10 things I’ve learned about community banking since I joined Lake Ridge Bank:

1. Community Bankers are committed to serving our neighbors. You will find us participating in fundraisers, supporting schools, and celebrating community events. You may have also noticed our associates helping to clean up after regional flooding a few years ago. Or maybe you have seen us out in the fields, checking on our agriculture customers after a storm. 
2. Community Bankers respect and honor the history and the personality of the community as a whole. Each city, town, and village is known for something. Others came before us to establish and develop these communities into special places. We take our responsibility for continuing their commitment seriously.
   
3. Community Bankers focus on your long-term financial success over winning your business. For example, I had a client who wanted to sell their small food cart business to a couple of long-time employees. The buyers were very young – just getting started – and didn’t qualify for a traditional business loan. Instead, I connected them with a non-profit who helps emerging entrepreneurs qualify for grants and other funding. They recently called to thank me because their financing just got approved through that organization, and they could now afford to follow their dream. They proceeded to open their business deposit account at our bank because they trusted we would always be on their side.
   
4. Community Bankers anticipate your needs during major life events and transitions. How can we help you become a business owner, prepare for retirement, or save for a home?
   
5. Community Bankers listen and work to offer options and solutions that fit your individual needs. We don’t make assumptions. We don’t force you into a one-size-fits-all product.
   
6. Community Bankers follow through on the details. Details are the difference between servicing an account and genuinely taking care of customers and clients. Every business is made up of people. The people matter.
   
7. Community Bankers encourage you to create a team of advisors, including an accountant, business banker, lawyer, wealth management expert, and insurance professional. We prefer to collaborate rather than compete and understand that everyone brings valuable strengths to the table.
   
8. Community Bankers meet you where you are on your financial journey. I used to teach a class on money management to incarcerated teens and young men. One day after class, one of the students asked me what I meant when I talked about a savings account. He had no idea what that was. I realized I was looking at these skills through my own lens of experience and took the time to back up and explain at his level. As I walked to my car, I was struck by how much I had taken for granted. My colleagues and I never want anyone to feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help or advice. 
   
9. Community Bankers are neighborhood networkers and connectors. We get to know a lot of people from a variety of industries. We have become adept at connecting people who share a common vision or complimentary goals.
   
10. Community Bankers prioritize relationships over transactions. Whether you bank with us or somewhere else, we still care about your success and happiness. We are part of a community. We know we can always accomplish more together.
    

If you have questions about banking services or need assistance with your business goals, contact a community banker at a location near you.