A Commitment to Being Community-Focused

When it comes to banking and finance, many people choose convenience over face-to-face interaction. But what if you could have the best of both worlds? In an age of instant gratification, thanks to the Internet, local banks are holding the line to continue providing quality customer care and convenient products and services. 

From offering traditional banking services in non-traditional ways to creating opportunities for banking on the go, many community-focused banks are committed to finding new methods to connect with their customers and build long-lasting local relationships.

Local banks can actively listen to their customers and adapt their products and services to meet community banking needs effectively. Because of this, many community banks (including Arvest) have added interactive teller machines (ITMs) that extend banking hours and created mobile applications to help customers complete basic transactions no matter where they are. Arvest has even created a Home4Me® app that walks homebuyers through the mortgage process, step-by-step. These products aim to make banking more convenient for customers while still allowing them access to traditional services.

With the rise in nonbank companies, it’s important to remember that your funds might not be eligible for FDIC deposit insurance coverage. FDIC insurance, offered by chartered banks, helps ensure your funds are safe even during times of economic uncertainty. Using local chartered banks like Arvest can bring peace of mind because your money is insured and protected from the ups and downs of the larger financial world.

Many community-focused banks are also working to drive positive change inside and outside their branches. From donating money to different community organizations to volunteering with various nonprofits, local banks are giving back—and getting creative about it. Million Meals and We Love Teachers are two of Arvest’s annual campaigns, and they allow Arvest associates to help fight food insecurity across the bank’s four-state footprint and support local teachers in each of the bank’s fourteen markets. 

Supporting local nonprofits has become increasingly important for many community banks, and it is another way for them to invest in their communities. Through the Arvest Foundation, Arvest provides grants and gifts that support various nonprofit organizations, helping strengthen the communities its banks serve by funding essential programs and services. While many banks regularly donate to nonprofits, local banks are often more familiar with local nonprofits and their challenges, allowing them to make more specific donations and provide support throughout the year.

Promoting financial literacy and offering financial education programs have also become vital to community connection for many local banks. Whether they are working with local organizations to provide collaborative financial education or directing people to online financial education resources, these institutions want to help increase financial literacy in the areas they serve. Many banks like Arvest are using a collaborative approach and forming partnerships with local schools and nonprofits to offer financial education programs right at home.

Attending in-person financial literacy events and classes might not fit seamlessly into some people’s schedules, so many local banks have also begun to offer online courses and financial education resources. Arvest created EmpowerED to help make financial education programs available to more of its customers. EmpowerED is a collection of free, bilingual online courses that help lay out basic financial concepts and break down more difficult aspects of personal finance and business banking. Offering such online resources helps community banks bridge the financial literacy gap and reach more people.

From customers to associates, prioritizing people is what Arvest and other community banks do best. They have evolved to offer convenient and effective banking solutions while making sure their associates remain accessible to those who prefer to bank in person. These banks are committed to putting down roots in the cities they serve, and this commitment goes beyond banking. 

Arvest is invested in the growth and well-being of the areas its associates serve, and many other community-focused banks feel the same way. Local banks uplift their communities by supporting area nonprofits with donations and volunteers, providing critical financial education programs, and forming lasting relationships with other local businesses and organizations. ν

Arvest is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. 

Retirement Plan Consulting and Trust services provided by Arvest Bank. Retirement Plan Advisors and Relationship Managers are registered representatives and investment advisor representatives with Arvest Investments, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC, an SEC registered investment advisor, and subsidiary of Arvest Bank. Insurance products made available through Arvest Insurance, Inc., which is registered as an insurance agency. Insurance products are marketed through Arvest Insurance, Inc., but are underwritten by unaffiliated insurance companies. Arvest and its associates do not provide tax or legal advice. Investments and Insurance Products: Not a Deposit | Not Guaranteed by the Bank or its Affiliates | Not FDIC Insured | Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency | May Go Down in Value