Reinvesting in your community sounds great, but how does one really put that into action?

If you’ve ever wondered if it matters where you deposit your hard-earned money, it does. Not only does banking locally support small businesses (community banks fund more than 60% of small business loans and more than 80% of ag loans), but as locally owned and operated businesses themselves, community banks are part of the economic engines that create 62 percent of new jobs annually. That’s powerful.

Community banks like The Peoples State Bank take in deposits and distribute loans that feed into a self-sustaining micro-economy and keep funds in Jasper, Lawrence, Bond, Fayette and Marion counties. It is all part of a symbiotic relationship that community banks have with their communities. Not to mention, the proceeds from those businesses employ residents, fund municipalities, and continue the cycle of locally based economic growth.

Consider the community bank impact on local communities:

• Community banks outpace large banks in their average number of banks operating in both rural and urban markets by a 3:1 ratio.
• Community banks are preferred small business lenders, with an 81 percent net satisfaction score compared to 68 percent for large banks and just 43 percent for online lenders.
• Community banks operate in areas abandoned by others—serving as the only physical banking presence in nearly one in three U.S. counties.

But it is not just about stats. When customers contact Peoples State Bank, they are greeted by people they know; a talented team that is attuned to their needs and empowered to act on their behalf.

When our employees log volunteer hours in support of area schools, community festivals and local organizations, we are working toward our goal to ensure economic prosperity for the community we call home.

April is Community Banking Month, and everyone at Peoples State Bank wants to thank our customers for putting their trust in us for their banking needs. We pledge to never lose sight of the all-important “relationship” and the personalized service our customers expect.

Remember, we are all in this together. The Peoples State Bank has provided uninterrupted financial services for 148 years and we are grateful for the strong bonds we have with our customers and communities!