What It Means to Bank Local

We chatted with Janice Durham, VP, Branch Manager of the Fuquay-Varina First Bank location, about what it means to bank locally and keep your dollars not only in state but right in your own hometown.

Banking local and shopping local share the same goal: to ensure your dollars have the largest impact on your community. Reports show that of every $100 spent at locally owned businesses, $68 goes straight bank into the community (compared to $43 when shopping at a large chain).

Similarly, by choosing a local bank over a large, national bank means that your dollars stay here for investment in small business development; in the organizations that lend and provide services to your friends, family, or neighbors; and in the community itself.

What Makes a Community Bank Different?

What people might not know about community banks is that at our core, written in our charter, is our commitment to invest our time and resources in the towns and cities we’re in. This means you’ll not only know our bankers, because they’re your friends and neighbors, but you’ll also seem them out at local events and working with area nonprofits.

We take great pride in the hours of volunteering and the money donated to local causes by the staff in our branches, and we know our bank can prosper only when the communities we serve prosper. As a community bank, we are motivated every day to proactively mend the fabric of our neighborhoods while supporting growth in the local economy.

And in most cases, it means warmer, friendlier, personal service.  That’s true at a mom and pop restaurant or hardware store on the main street in your small town, and it’s true for banks.  It’s hard to know your customers and truly care about them if you are managing a banking operation from another state.  We know our clients and we work to find individualized solutions when they have financial needs—and most importantly, those decisions are made here.

Side note: be sure to check out our Dream it, Do It campaign at HERE and see how we’re donating to local charities and helping our customers’ dreams come true!

What About Financing?

The process itself is similar in that we all follow federal lending guidelines, but again, the experience is completely different at a local bank.

It’s impossible to place a value on having a person with whom you have a relationship, who you can call when there are questions during the lending process, helping to lead you through a complex process. If you opt to use an online service, or even a large national bank, I’m not sure where you go when there is a question or problem.

With a local bank, you have a personal banker who has taken the time to learn about your family and your business needs and you can reach them directly to collaborate on a solution. So whether it’s for personal banking or for your business, we can offer better service and better understanding of your needs by a person who cares about your success and is driven to help.

How to Get Started

The first step is really just to walk into your local branch of a community bank (or call or visit the website, but we’d really like to meet you in person). Your personal banker will want to hear about what you hope to do, be it as simple as opening a savings account or buying a new home, or as complex as a business loan to turn your dream into a reality.

And they will guide you through the process to bring that dream to fruition.  We are standing by, ready to help, just tell us what you hope to do and enjoy having a personal banker at your disposal.

Since 1935, First Bank has remained committed to the idea that our customers are meant to achieve financial independence, to prosper, and to pursue the passions that drive their dreams. Our bank rewards this passion with award-winning financial solutions and support from local teams that give you the individual attention you deserve and empower you to reach your financial goals. It’s uncompromising excellence in a remarkably personal package. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

Janice L. Durham

NMLS# 1314662

Vice President
First Bank
Fuquay Varina Branch Manager
135 N. Main Street
Fuquay Varina, NC 27526

Phone: 919-577-9001
Email: jdurham@localfirstbank.com
Website: www.LocalFirstBank.com