1. Community banks are not "too big to fail."
2. The government didn't give community banks any bail out money.
3. Community banks use real people and not automated phone systems that keep you on hold forever and a day. (Press 1 for English. Press 2 to hear your balance. Press 3 to transfer money. Press FU to tell us where to go.)
4. The real people know your name if you bank with them. Sometimes know who you are before you even introduce yourself, particularly if you're a local mini-celebrity.
5. The community banks are run by the local millionaire and not the big fat cat CEO who makes multi-millions.
6. The loan officer knows how to pronounce things like Botetourt (body-tot), Roanoke (Row-Noke), and Catawba (Cat-awe-ba).
7. Community banks approve a loan with just your tax returns and do not require a DNA, stool and urine sample.
8. The tellers don't ask your mother's maiden name because they already know it.
9. You receive a warm chocolate chip cookie if you bank on Fridays.
10. Community banks have customer appreciation days several times a year featuring hot dogs and soft drinks, and they sponsor local events like Art on the James and the Fincastle 5K run.
11. Loans in small amounts are welcome and the loan officer doesn't tell you to "just put it on your credit card."
12. You can still open up a Christmas Club account at a community bank.
13. You're helping your neighbors keep their jobs!
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of bloggers. You can read more about it here. This is my 138th time to do this meme!
Great reminder! I laughed at #3. Your Thursday Thirteen makes me want to go change banks. Maybe I will. Thanks for the reminder. If we would all do a few simple things, we could make a big difference in our local economy. That is being a GOOD NEIGHBOR!
ReplyDeleteWow I love the idea of community banking. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks also for dropping by my TT. Ya I know the threat of our personal profiles being misused is always there but I still am part of the social network although I avoid filling in all infos.
Good morning! Hope the sun is shining as brightly over your way as it is here. Blue Skies!!
ReplyDeleteDi
I wonder if ours are community banks.
ReplyDeleteThe Museletter is homespun community publication. I wonder where you saw one.
Great list especially since it inspires change. I'm rethinking my banking choices. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'm not even sure we have any community banks around here any more.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Thursday!
http://harrietandfriends.com/2010/05/dear-kids-dont-forget-about-mothers-day-this-sunday/
My husband and I have been discussing changing over to a community bank. Thanks for the info and for stopping by my TT.
ReplyDeleteI love community bank. Our bank back in small town in Ohio approved our loan just because they know my husband's father,Thank God they knew him for good reason. :)
ReplyDeleteI've got an account at a community bank, and one at a regional bank. I'll take the regional over the community any day. Sad, because I like the idea of a community bank for all the reasons you list, but this particular one is hard to work with.
ReplyDeleteIs it wrong that I still want my bank to ask for my ID when I make a withdrawal, though?
ReplyDeleteI mean, I only go in person to the bank a few times a year - small town or no - and my visits are nearly a year apart...
Hmmm...
Oh, well. Happy TT! :)
All great reasons! If we had community banks here, I'd use community banks too!
ReplyDeleteWe bank at a local bank too. I love it because I can walk in there like I did today and everyone knows me. I had the bank manager help me open my business account and now she knows me by sight. She even remembered what my business is and who my partners are. Can't beat that!
ReplyDeleteNow if I can find a way to get them to offer chocolate chip cookies...
Creative list and so true... something I don't think about much!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my TT :)
I have to find me a community bank in this town. I am so fed up with Bank of America!
ReplyDelete#9, a warm chocolate cookie? Now you're talking my language. Next time, start with the cookie. :-)
ReplyDeleteI guess I've never really considered a community bank. Definitely something to think about.
ReplyDeleteI love my bank and the cookies on Fridays! : )
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