Kaitlyn Dummitt Marketing Officer, Waterford Bank, N.A.
As we think about Halloween costumes and trick-or-treaters, Waterford Bank, N.A. is focusing on the “treats” that set community banks apart and keep customers coming back for more.
NO TRICKS
First, let’s look at some facts. Community bank borrowers are more successful and satisfied than those of other institutions, outperforming megabanks and online lenders, according to a Federal Reserve small business credit survey. How do we do that – by staying focused on our customers’ needs, not their transaction levels.
We won’t jeopardize our hard-earned reputation by peddling goods and services our customers don’t want or need and we don’t rely on impersonal credit scores or lend by committee, either. We bank the old-fashioned way—one customer, one loan at a time. It’s been our philosophy since the bank’s founding 12 years ago, and it continues to help us serve the unique needs of our customers today.
TREATING OUR COMMUNITIES
We also help fortify local neighborhoods through philanthropic outreach and civic service—providing much-needed resources and attention to worthwhile causes and events.
- Mobile Meals Corporate Cares Partner – We use many metrics to track success, but we’re particularly fond of these figures: 1,500 miles, 216 hours, and 900 meals. These are the numerical representations of the investment we’ve made through Mobile Meals. Our bankers dedicated a few hours every month to deliver meals to community members in need – delivering nutrition and independence to our neighbors.
- Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) – We’ve partnered with the TMA to finance their Art After School Programs, but our outreach doesn’t stop there. We also work with high school and college-aged interns to prep them for any financial roadblocks their futures may hold. In addition to banking basics, we help walk them through the importance of financing high education and even how to budget their potential studio spaces and supplies – helping to foster future entrepreneurs in our communities.
- Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) – We’re helping to provide scholarships for local low to moderate income students pursuing business or financial careers. These scholarships are designed to help hardworking students remain in school to continue their journey not just to graduation, but to becoming contributing members of the workforce.
The treats don’t end there. According to the American Bankers Association, nearly one in five U.S. counties are only served by a community bank and community banks as a whole fund more than 60 percent of the nation’s small businesses, which account for two out of three new U.S. jobs annually.
As your local community bank we’re your world-class financial expertise, right around the corner. That sounds pretty sweet, doesn’t it?
About the Author
Kaitlyn Dummitt is the Marketing Officer at Waterford Bank, N.A. Working alongside the many bankers at Waterford, she helps to create a variety of community outreach opportunities and banking basics education to serve and enhance our neighborhoods. If you’re interested in learning more about Waterford or discussing outreach opportunities, please contact us here.
