Good Things Happen When We Support Local

Many factors influence the strength of a community: the availability of affordable housing; access to jobs that pay a livable wage; education and financial literacy rates; and the general exchange of goods and services, just to name a few.  But we believe at the core of every successful community is the presence of local businesses of all sizes and types. And, when people bank, shop, and give locally, they feed the cycle of community success, making good things happen for everyone.

It Begins With Our Customers

When our customers trust us with their deposits, they enable us to provide loans that make things happen in a community that may not otherwise happen. When a loan is given to an individual, that person can realize his or her goals and dreams and live a prosperous life.  When a loan is given to a local business, it has the ability to start, grow, and thrive.  Both of these scenarios feed the cycle of community success that impacts every facet of a community.

Local Businesses Support Communities     
          
When a community is home to local businesses of all sizes and types, the whole community benefits.  Individuals are able to purchase goods and services locally, keeping their hard-earned money within their own community. The businesses can use their profits to grow their companies and/or reinvest a portion in the form of philanthropy.  And, the city/state tax dollars collected help support local projects and services.

Jobs Are Created

Local businesses create more local jobs.  More local jobs mean individuals don’t have to look outside their community for employment that fits their skillset.  Time spent commuting to and from work is reduced, positively impacting physical and mental health.  State income tax dollars remain within the community to support public services.  Ultimately, citizens remain within that community because it supports all of their needs.

Communities Grow

People are drawn to communities that are rich with local businesses and want to be part of them.  Likewise, housing developments tend to surround these business hubs, creating more housing options for individuals and their families.  The local employment further enables individuals to qualify for mortgage loans, increasing homeownership rates across the community.  This is a key factor in helping communities thrive, as pride of homeownership contributes to ongoing neighborhood upkeep and maintained or increased home values.  And, when a local business is successful, it can reinvest back into the community that supports it. 

People Thrive

Whether it is the business owner, the employee, or the individual positively impacted by philanthropy, the revenue that the local businesses generate helps people thrive.  These people are in a better position to buy a home, build equity, and start creating wealth that can be passed down to the next generation.  They are better able to afford the goods and services they need, the extras that make life enjoyable, and still have enough left over to save for the future.

First National Bank is committed to feeding the cycle of community success by providing loans to aspiring entrepreneurs and by reinvesting in organizations working to help local businesses start, grow, and thrive.