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Brad M. Bolton: Putting the “community” in community banking

Independent Banker

People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and community banks provide that opportunity. Community banking is about serving the greater good. As community continuators, we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Use social media to tell your community bank’s story of service.

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Scottsdale Community Bank: Making microloans

Independent Banker

Inspired by the entrepreneurship of lemonade stands, Scottsdale Community Bank created a microloan program. Photo by Brandon Sullivan De novo Scottsdale Community Bank set out to provide microloans to small and mid-size businesses, family organizations and nonprofits—a project that was inspired by the humble lemonade stand.

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Best Community Banks to Work For 2022

Independent Banker

Clockwise from top left: Grand Ridge National Bank, Wheaton, Ill.; Community Financial Services Bank, Benton, Ky.; Bank of Montana, Missoula, Mont.; CNB Bank, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.; Midwest Bank, Norfolk, Neb. Bank of Montana: Breaking the mold. Bank of Montana. What great resignation?

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Why Diversification Fails at Banks

South State Correspondent

We believe that while lending diversification leads banks to lend more in normal times (especially for banks over $50B in assets) and does benefit the general economy, community banks should be careful in how and where they choose to diversify. It is hard to achieve geographical diversification within a bank’s footprint.

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Why Diversification Fails at Banks

South State Correspondent

We believe that while lending diversification leads banks to lend more in normal times (especially for banks over $50B in assets) and does benefit the general economy, community banks should be careful in how and where they choose to diversify. It is hard to achieve geographical diversification within a bank’s footprint.

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Market your community bank with first-party data

Independent Banker

Community banks own an enviable amount of data, but not all are leveraging it to its fullest extent. By Mindy Charski People share important data about themselves with their community bank in myriad ways. Data about existing customers can even help community banks improve their efforts to find new customers.

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How community banks can address cybercrime

Independent Banker

Community banks have a choice about addressing the problem: Remain vulnerable or be vigilant. Fraud and cybercrimes continue to increase, causing challenges for community banks. But there’s plenty community banks can do to meet this challenge. Here are some ideas for strengthening fraud defenses.