Tag Archives: locally owned bank

Community Banking Month – April

The Independent Community Bankers of America, of which Iowa State Bank and Trust is a life member, is celebrating community banking in the month of April. The positive impact that the 5,700 community banks dispersed across the nation on their local areas is very important to the health of those localities as well as our nation.

When you bank locally, you are investing in your community. Community banks fund 60% of small business and more than 80% of agricultural enterprises. They contribute tax dollars that support schools, local municipalities, and counties.

You have a choice in your financial relationships, but as you choose, please consider:

COMMUNITY BANKS HONOR AND RESPECT THEIR NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITY TIES: Banks such as Iowa State Bank and Trust are locally owned and managed, which means that they can only thrive if their surrounding trade area is viable and vibrant. The bank cannot be successful without the local community growing.

COMMUNITY BANKS BUILD RELATIONSHIPS: Bankers at Iowa State Bank and Trust seek to know their customers and deeply understand their financial needs. They go the extra mile to meet those needs through thick and thin. Customers are not just “transactions”.

COMMUNITY BANKS GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES: Serving the local area is second nature to the community bankers at Iowa State Bank and Trust. They give their time, talents, and a considerable amount of money to community organizations and school districts.

We encourage you to join us in celebrating Community Banking month and hope that you will give Iowa State Bank and Trust an opportunity to serve you.

– Dave Eastburn, Chairman of the Board

Konnecting with Karl

I’ve had the pleasure to work with customers at Iowa State Bank now for almost 4 years in my capacity as the commercial lender. However, even many of my friends don’t really know what that means and still ask me what I really do.

Sure, I make loans for business owners and commercial endeavors, but that isn’t what I think is most descriptive of my role. Every industry has its own unique set of challenges and each business its own set of strengths and weaknesses. What I do is help our business customers understand the risks they face and properly manage those risks for the best possible financial outcome for their future.

How I go about this reminded me a little like how my wife, Morae, and I decided upon having children. We sat down and talked out all the risks, pros and cons, and what-ifs we might face. After becoming completely terrified of this prospect, we decided to start our family anyway.

In reality, we felt comfortable with all the risks because we understood how we would deal with them if/when they arise. It is similar when making large decisions in business such as making an investment in technology, inventory, or growing employees. What I enjoy most about my job is sitting down with my customers to discuss the decisions they face to help them better understand the benefits and risks associated with those decisions.

From there, my job is to apply that risk to a competitive financing plan that provides that customer the capital needed to grow their business, and therefore our local economy, one step in a positive direction. Over and over, this model keeps lending decisions local, risks local, and profits local. This is the value of banking with a locally owned bank, we grow together.

Nearly two years ago when Morae and I decided to start our family, we never fully realized how truly amazing it would be to have our son. In fact, often is the case when a developing business excels beyond what was expected. We are so elated that we decided to take the risk that we wish we had done it sooner. That’s why in September, we are expecting the second edition to our family!

I believe building a business is a part of building a community and I’m proud to build my family in the community where I was raised, helping other business owners achieve their success.

– Karl Metcalf, VP Commercial Lending