How Community Banks Help Small Businesses

June 27, 2023

Community banks, such as Texas Regional Bank, offer many advantages to small businesses. These advantages range from providing capital to services tailored to each business.

At community banks, you’re not another number on a balance sheet; you’re a valued customer. That means you’ll get the support you need to grow and thrive, whether you are just starting or looking to expand your business.

Need a business loan? Checking account? Credit card? Merchant services? Whatever your financial needs, community banks can help you. And with specialized services like wealth management, private banking, insurance, and financial education, you’ll have access to the resources you need to succeed.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Community banks understand the day-to-day needs and problems of the area.
  2. Community banks build trust and understanding, making getting a loan, managing an account, or receiving financial assistance easier for small business owners.
  3. Community banking, online banking services, and other financial products can help you achieve your goals and strengthen your local economy.

What is community banking?

Community banks are different from large national and regional banks. People from the local community manage them. They understand the day-to-day needs and problems of the area.

But community banking isn’t just about friendly faces and personal attention; it’s also about making a real difference in your community. These banks are committed to investing in local businesses and providing them with the capital they need to thrive. 

Community banks also partner with local organizations, such as chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and small business administration associations. These partnerships help community banks offer additional resources and support to small businesses. 

How does community banking help small business owners?

47.5% of the U.S. workforce is composed of small businesses. In Texas alone, there are over 2.8 million small businesses.

Community bankers understand the local market and small business owners’ challenges. It is through this understanding that community banks have provided roughly 60% of small business loans over the past few years. 

Benefits of Community Banking

Long-term Relationship Building: 

Small business owners can build connections with their bankers at community banks. These relationships can make all the difference. Building trust and understanding is essential to getting a loan, managing an account, or receiving financial assistance. 

Community banks provide direct access to decision-makers. This means you can get fast answers to your questions without navigating long wait times or dropped calls. With a community bank, you can focus on what you do best, growing your business.

The Impact of Community Banking on Small Businesses

Access to Credit

Community banks offer many benefits to small business owners. These include:

  1. Personalized Service
  2. More Responsive Customer Service
  3. Attention to Local Needs
  4. More Responsive to Local Regulations

Community banks also provide financial education and resources to small business owners, local organizations, and residents. Banks are helping entrepreneurs and residents make informed financial decisions. They do this by providing workshops, seminars, and online resources. This empowers people with the knowledge and skills they need. 

Local Knowledge & Personalized Service

No two businesses are alike. That’s why community banks offer a wide range of business checking, savings, and loan accounts that can be customized. 

Community banks have a deep knowledge of the local economic growth and the unique needs of small businesses in our area. When you partner with a community bank, you can expect a level of customer service that larger banks cannot provide.

Banking with a community bank means indirectly investing in local economic development. These bank’s reinvestment include loans to small businesses, community development projects, supporting local nonprofits, and other community events. 

Related Article:

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The Future of Community Banks

Community Banks know that your time is valuable, so they are leveraging technology to make banking more straightforward and convenient than ever before. With online banking services, you can access and manage your accounts from anywhere, anytime. Plus, cutting-edge financial products and services, such as ITMs, and other services, are available. 

Conclusion

In today’s world, small businesses are the lifeline of our local economies, and community banks are their essential partners. By offering a range of personalized services and leveraging the latest technology, community banks are creating financial solutions to help businesses thrive.

Whether you’re a small business owner looking to access capital or an unbanked individual seeking financial services, community banks are here to help. Community banking, online banking services, and other financial products can help you achieve your goals and strengthen your local economy.

Community banks, like Texas Regional Bank, are local partners invested in your success and the success of your community. 

To learn more about banking with a community bank, visit our website, Texas Regional Bank – Banking, Mortgage, Wealth Management

Texas Regional Bank

Texas Regional Bank is a privately owned institution that was founded in South Texas with the goal to bring a locally-owned, relationship style bank back to the communities we serve. TRB is committed to building a relationship with our customers by providing exceptional customer service, financial products, and mobile and online banking.