Community banks are a crucial part of the US financial landscape. They’re like the friendly neighborhood banks that work hand-in-hand with the families and businesses in their areas to offer financial services that cater to their unique needs.

They’re owned and run by locals who know exactly what their customers need, especially in rural and underserved urban areas that big banks often overlook.

The range of services they offer is standard – from bank accounts to mortgages to small business loans. But the big difference is the personal touch. Compared to their Wall Street counterparts, community-based lenders take a more personalized approach to banking. Often, the bankers are locals who live and work in the same community as their customers, making the banking experience more intimate and building stronger connections.

Community banks are abundant in major cities throughout the United States, with approximately 5,000 of them operating across the country. To celebrate Community Banking Month, we wanted to highlight a few that we work with:

Live Oak

Live Oak Bank is a digitally focused, FDIC-insured bank serving customers across the country. They provide banking products that help business owners buy, build, expand, and operate their business, along with FDIC-insured high-yield savings and CDs to grow their hard-earned money. With competitive interest rates, no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements, and an easy connection to other bank accounts, customers can enjoy a simpler way to save. The small business checking account is designed with simplicity for the self-employed, containing all the components of a business checking account without the unnecessary features and fees found at a typical bank.

About the Live Oak Bank Affiliate Program: The Live Oak Bank affiliate program operates on a cost per acquisition (CPA) model. Publishers will trigger a CPA for each successfully opened account.

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Crescent Bank

Founded in 1991, Crescent Bank is a New Orleans-based Community Bank specializing in indirect auto lending and banking. Their Certificate of Deposits (CD) rates are some of the highest in the market and are available to customers nationwide.

About the Crescent Bank Affiliate Program: The Crescent Bank Affiliate Program works on a cost-per-acquisition (CPA) model. Publishers will trigger a CPA per each completed application, defined as a user reaching the ‘Success Finished’ page of their Online Account Opening module.

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First Citizens

First Citizens has been helping families and businesses make more of their finances for more than 120 years. They’ve shared their clients’ dreams, helped make their budgets work harder, and built financial plans to last them the rest of their lives. And in that time, they’ve built a solid track record of service, stability, and reliability. With a national online footprint, First Citizens can service more customers and share their expertise beyond their branch network. But regardless of channel, they remain focused on building relationships with the goal of empowering their customers to live better lives.

About the First Citizens Bank Affiliate Program: Publishers are remunerated on a cost-per-acquisition (CPA) basis for new, approved customer sign-ups of their Checking and Online Savings accounts

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In a world where big banks dominate the financial industry, it’s refreshing to see community banks still thriving, moving ahead with time, digitalizing their offerings, and positively impacting their local communities.

As we celebrate Community Banking Month, it’s important to recognize the unique value that Community Banks bring to the table. Their commitment to serving local customers and supporting local businesses and organizations is something that big banks simply can’t replicate. So, if you’re looking for a financial institution that truly cares about you and your community, you know which ones to consider.