The Power of Banking Locally: Celebrating Community Banking Month

April is Community Banking Month, a perfect time to recognize the vital role that community banks like Rivers Edge Bank play in strengthening local economies. But what does it really mean to reinvest in your community—and how does banking locally help?

Let’s break it down.

Why Banking Local Matters

When you choose to bank with a community bank, you’re doing more than opening a checking account—you’re helping fuel the engine of your local economy. Community banks are locally owned and operated, which means they know the unique needs of your neighborhood and your neighbors. More importantly, they put your deposits to work right where you live.

In fact, community banks fund more than 60% of small business loans and over 80% of agriculture loans in the U.S., according to the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA). They’re responsible for creating 62% of new jobs annually, showing just how much impact local banking can have on job creation and economic development.

At Rivers Edge Bank, your deposits support small business loans, ag lending, and personal lending—all within the area we call home. That cycle of local reinvestment powers schools, city projects, jobs, and the families who make our community what it is.

The Community Bank Difference

Community banks like Rivers Edge Bank don’t just operate in communities—we’re part of them. Whether we’re volunteering with our local organizations, donating to local projects or improvements, or offering tailored financial solutions to individuals and families, our mission is grounded in service.

Here’s how community banks stand apart:

• 📍 Local Presence: Community banks are the only physical banking presence in nearly 1 in 3 U.S. counties.
• 🤝 Trusted by Small Businesses: With an 81% satisfaction rating, community banks beat out large banks (68%) and online lenders (43%).
• 🌱 Personalized Service: Community banks blend technology with relationship-focused service—offering modern tools with human insight.
• 🤲 Equity and Access: Community banks serve 96% of low-income counties and 93% of majority-minority communities, helping underserved populations access financial resources.

Learn more about why so many customers prefer the community bank model at ICBA.org.

Local Ownership Ensures Prosperity Doesn't Leave

Rivers Edge Bank goes further than being a community bank that runs on local deposits, empowers with local loans, and donates back to local initiatives.  We also hold sacred a local ownership model that ensures any prosperity experienced by the bank does not leave our communities.  Ownership of Rivers Edge Bank spans across all five communities of which we are a part, and the ownership structure is set up to perpetually remain that way.  This completes the full economic cycle and is the difference that sets Rivers Edge Bank apart from many other banks.  Learn more about our ownership and mission as a bank here.  

Built for Your Needs, Backed by Your Community

When you walk into Rivers Edge Bank, you’ll be greeted by a knowledgeable team member who’s not just familiar with your account—but who knows your name and your story. Our bankers are empowered to make decisions locally, without the red tape of big corporate chains.

And when we say we’re investing in your future, we mean it. Whether it’s supporting new farmers, helping local entrepreneurs launch their dreams, or offering mortgage solutions to growing families, we’re here for every financial milestone.

Join the Movement

This April, as we celebrate Community Banking Month, we invite you to experience the difference of banking local. If you’re already a customer, thank you for trusting us with your financial goals. If you’re not yet part of the Rivers Edge Bank family, now is the perfect time to discover how community banking can help you grow.

🔗 Want to learn more about the benefits of local banking? Visit banklocally.org.

We’re in this together—and we’re only successful when our customers and communities thrive. That’s why the community bank model has worked for over 150 years. Let’s keep building a brighter, stronger, more vibrant future together.

For more information on the national impact of community banks, visit the ICBA Community Banking Facts page. Follow the #BankLocally and #CommunityBankingMonth conversations on social media to see how local banking makes a difference across the country.