The Right Bank: Personal, Professional, Passionate

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Perry Forst, President

“I realize now I have been banking at the wrong bank.” Thankfully it turns out Citizens State Bank is actually “the right bank” in this conversation I had a couple months ago with a new customer. Not surprisingly, this scenario repeated itself many times since then. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is an economic stimulus SBA loan designed to be delivered across the banking industry to small businesses through existing customer relationships. Unfortunately for many small businesses, it became clear through this process that their bank was not very interested in serving their needs or assisting with their financial well-being.

The employees of Citizens State Bank realized almost immediately upon passage of the CARES Act that the PPP would provide a tremendous positive impact for our local businesses, their employees, and the community.

We dedicated resources, researched and became experts on the details of the PPP, and systematically contacted businesses to educate them and offer our assistance. We helped businesses complete the application and then spent Saturdays, Sundays, evenings, and even throughout the night making sure the loan applications were successfully submitted, approved and funded.

Our efforts to alert local businesses to the availability of the PPP were not limited to existing customers. Citizens State Bank is known for its commitment to the community and its willingness to help customers and noncustomers alike.

The investment and outreach exhibited by Citizens is a stark contrast to many of our local banking competitors. We employ quality bankers locally who were able and willing to roll up their sleeves to help approximately 200 businesses with thousands of employees. Citizens State Bank is very thankful for the opportunity to serve both existing and new business customers, especially when the financial impact for the businesses and their employees is so great.

The new customers taken on by Citizens during this hectic period relayed their frustration and dismay at the indifference they were met with at the banks where they had been customers for years. Even though the existing banking relationship was acknowledged, the businesses were told they did not qualify for any hands-on service because they did not satisfy some arbitrary criteria suddenly dreamed up by their banks. Essentially you don’t matter because you are not a good-enough customer.

I can’t imagine delivering that message through words or actions to a customer. This is another clear example that Citizens State Bank continues to stand apart from its competitors. The bank is both innovative and consistent in its approach to customer service. We continuously evaluate feedback from our customers to ensure that the bank stays on track. I am thankful that our customers, both new on the scene and long-term, tell us we are on the right path.

Citizens State Bank appreciates the opportunity to be “the right bank” for you.