Community Banking

Community and business leaders frequently express frustration at the lack of responsiveness and the poor service they receive from large commercial banks. Loan decisions are made hundreds or thousands of miles away and are, too frequently, made solely on the basis of numbers and formulas in a policy manual rather than upon knowledge of local conditions or the people involved. These large banks are also owned and controlled by entities in other states or countries and the profits are spent there.

A local bank can be much more responsive to local needs and can make well-informed decisions based on local knowledge and local factors. The bank's organizers, founders, and shareholders can be justifiably proud that their local bank is responsive to the needs of the community. Locally-owned banks don't send their profits to Wall Street or San Francisco but keep them within the local community.

Avery Burdsal & Fale brings a wealth of experience and information to assist community leaders and business persons in deciding whether or not they should pursue the establishment of a state- or nationally-chartered commercial bank in their area. We can also assist in all stages of the process from initial discussions with likeminded community leaders, through the application and capital-raising processes, through opening.

Rob Avery began his career in 1980 assisting business and community leaders in starting their own community-owned banks. He subsequently joined Coast Federal Savings and Loan in Los Angeles, California to help identify acquisition targets and sites for new branch offices. Rob has authored numerous economic analyses and regulatory applications relating to new bank charters, branch offices, and acquisitions. Rob brings 30 years of legal and business experience and training with him to assist groups of business and community leaders in starting their own community banks.

We know and understand banking and look forward to discussing your project in person.