Independent Banker - April 2024 - 59

pandemic hit, the client moved to Miami, and now their
business is thriving.
" Our relationship has grown, and they have been a
great referral source for us-referring their friends, family
members and other business associates, " Soto says. " They
tell the story of how we helped their family. They share
with them that we are a bank that they can count on
and trust.
" That speaks to the value to our bank-that we have the
human touch component, and when times get tough, we are
somebody you can have a relationship with, " he adds.
Indeed, many foreign nationals come from countries
where there is great mistrust and even fear of the banking
systems there, Soto says. As such, IFB staff members take
the time to help new clients understand how the U.S.
banking system works, and staff members guide them
through the process of opening business accounts and
personal accounts.
They also help clients through the loan application
process to buy homes and other properties like warehouses,
and if needed, staff members mentor clients on how to best
run the day-to-day activities of their U.S. businesses.
" Our mission is to build relationships, not just sell
products and services, " Soto says. " We want to help
our foreign nationals prosper and continue to grow
their businesses. "
Alex Soto, senior
vice president, head
of domestic banking
at International
Finance Bank,
works with foreign
nationals who have
business in the U.S.
In Lebanon County, Pa., where
$895 million-asset Jonestown Bank
& Trust Co. (JBT) is headquartered,
the waiting list
for aff ordable
housing
exceeds
fi ve years,
says Troy
A. Peters,
president
and CEO. The
nonprofi t
Community Homes
of Lebanon County strives to meet the
housing needs for those in need, and
JBT saw an opportunity to step in and
help in that eff ort, Peters says.
In addition to providing a $100,000
donation to launch the construction
of a 23-unit handicapped-accessible
neighborhood, members of JBT's
board of directors and executive team
are volunteering time to help with
Jonestown
Bank &
Trust Co.
Jonestown, Pa.
additional fundraising and to see the
project through to completion, he says.
Moreover, JBT sponsored the
Community Homes application to
Federal Home Loan Bank to secure a
major portion of the project's funding.
JBT also provided Community Homes
of Lebanon County with a low 2.75%
fi xed rate on two loans, a $750,000
line of credit for 18 months-now paid
off -that coordinated with FLHBank,
and a $200,000 construction loan for
198 months.
" Aff ordable housing is such a
critical need in the community
for older adults, low-income
families and ambulatory disabled
individuals, " Peters says. " To play a
role in providing a home-often the
fi rst quality, safe, truly aff ordable
home they've experienced-that will
improve people's lives in a real way is
something JBT is excited about. "
The Community Homes project
Jonestown Bank & Trust Co.
aligns with JBT's commitment to truly
be part of the communities it serves.
The board, managers and employees
go out of their way to meet the needs
of customers as well as the general
public through fi nancial contributions
and volunteering, Peters notes.
" People in the area see what JBT
and our employees do, and they
appreciate that, " he says. " For us,
giving back is not a challenge. It's who
we are. "
Katie Kuehner-Hebert is a writer
in California.
" For us, giving back
is not a challenge.
It's who we are. "
-Troy A. Peters,
independentbanker.org // 59
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - April 2024

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