Independent Community Bankers of America
The ICBA (Independent Community Bankers of America) creates and promotes an environment where community banks flourish. With nearly 50,000 locations nationwide, community banks employ nearly 700,000 Americans and are the only physical banking presence in one in three U.S. counties.
Local Focus: Unlike larger banks that may take deposits in one state and lend in others, community banks channel their loans to the neighborhoods where their depositors live and work, which helps local businesses and communities thrive.
Relationship Banking: Community bank officers know their customers and may consider family history and discretionary spending in making loans. Megabank loan officers apply impersonal qualification criteria, such as credit scoring, without regard to individual circumstances.
80% of independent businesses that use community banks report they are satisfied with their overall experience, compared with 68% for large banks and just 43% for online lenders.
Medium cost, high impact.