The Benefits of Banking Close to Home

Keeping your bank close to home benefits you and your community

Key takeaways:

• If you love supporting local businesses, consider banking locally as well.

• Local banking is convenient — our expansion allows customers to visit financial centers in New Albany, Gahanna and Westerville as well as Columbus proper — and offers service with a friendly, community-minded feel.

• A local bank also offers solutions designed for households and businesses across the Columbus area, so you get personalized service. 

You know all about the benefits of shopping locally. But did you know that banking locally offers many of the same advantages? 

“Like shopping with local small businesses, banking locally means your money stays in the community, where it can help build thriving neighborhoods,” says Anthony Hapney, manager of our New Albany Financial Center, the first of four new locations opening across the Columbus area. “But more than that, choosing a neighborhood bank can significantly impact the experience you have, just like when you choose a local business.”

If you’re thinking about banking locally, here’s what to consider and how a new financial center in Columbus could give you another option close to home.

How is a local bank different from a national bank?

As the name suggests, national banks have a nationwide, or even an international, footprint. That can offer some advantages: For example, you’re likely to find a bank ATM from virtually anywhere in the country. 

• Pro tip: We're part of the AllPoint ATM network, a network of more than 55,000 ATMs located around the world. That means you can find an ATM to withdraw money without surcharges, even if you’re far from home. 

But a national presence can also create a “big bank” atmosphere. Because national banks serve customers across many markets, the experience can feel less connected to the needs of a specific community. With such a broad footprint, it can be harder to shape the experience around what matters most in a specific market.

Local banks take a different approach. They typically operate locations within specific areas — anywhere from a handful of states to a network of local communities — which means they’re deeply rooted in the communities they serve.

“Local banking is all about creating a welcoming, people-first atmosphere and serving as a cornerstone of the neighborhood,” says Hapney. “That kind of relationship shows up in small but important ways, from how you’re greeted when you walk in to how conversations and recommendations are handled.”

• Did you know? Our expansion in the Columbus region starts with four new financial centers: New Albany, Gahanna, Westerville and Columbus. We're excited to offer tailored support to families across the area. Find your local financial center.

How does having a local banker actually impact your banking experience?

Beyond providing a friendly community atmosphere, keeping your money close to home can lead to a better banking experience, too. Here’s why:

Products, services and solutions tailored to you

One benefit of local banking is working with a bank that can better reflect the needs of the people and businesses in the community it serves.

“As local bankers, we can have more relevant conversations because we understand the market people are living and working in," says Hapney. "That matters whether someone is buying a home, opening an account or running a business here in Columbus.”

• Get generation-specific insights: Learn about smart money habits for Gen Z, as well as financial wellness for Millennials.

Convenient service that fits your daily life

Beyond helping you find solutions personalized to your needs, a local bank makes it convenient for you to manage your financial health. One clear benefit: Your local bank is right in your neighborhood. So it’s easy to stop in when you're shopping nearby or coming home from a family adventure at the Blendon Woods Metro Park. 

• We're opening financial centers in New Albany, Gahanna, Westerville and North High Street. Click here to learn more about our expansion across the Columbus area.

Local banks may also offer faster service, particularly when it comes to loans, mortgages and other forms of credit. “At a local bank, the person processing your application might be just down the hall, which makes it easier for your banker to keep you in the loop throughout the process,” says Hapney. “At a national bank, that person could be hours away, which can make the application process feel less transparent — and, for some, much more intimidating.”

• Pro tip: In addition to a convenient in-person experience, our online and mobile banking tools make it easy to manage your finances, from building budgets to setting savings goals. 

A bank that just gets it

Putting down deep roots in the community offers another significant advantage: The ability to hit the ground running when you come in for financial advice. 

“We’re on top of what’s happening in the community and trends impacting business owners and households,” says Hapney. “And not just because we’re helping other local customers going through similar experiences. We have a personal stake in the community because we live here too. We’re seeing the same challenges as you, and we’re looking for opportunities to help.”

How we can help you reach your goals

Whether you’re buying a first home, planning for retirement or figuring out what makes sense for your next move, it helps to have someone who can walk through the options with you.

Sometimes, that involves helping you open an account or apply for a loan. But most of the time, it’s about answering questions and helping you understand your financial options so you can make informed decisions about your money.

How can we help?

• Trusted insights and advice: Our team is here to answer any questions you might have about money, from how to build (and use) an emergency fund to how to manage cash flow for your small business. 

• Checking and savings accounts that fit how you manage your money: No matter what your goals are or how you prefer to manage your money, we’ll help you find the right account for you. 

• Lending options for personal and business needs: Whether you’re looking for a mortgage, a small business loan or another form of credit, we can help you understand what may fit.

Most of all, we want to be a familiar, trusted presence in the neighborhood — a place where people can get answers, talk through options and build real relationships over time.

Our first Columbus financial center opens on July 13 in New Albany at 5746 N Hamilton Road. Stop by to meet the team, ask questions and learn more about the accounts, services and support available to you.

Did you know? We're offering high-yield Performance Savings accounts specifically for consumers in Ohio — and you can open your account now. Learn more about the account and how to get started banking with us.