Independent Banker - December 2023 - 51

new branches and looking at that in a
holistic way, " Caliendo explains.
While banks have traditionally
built and owned branches, that's
becoming prohibitively expensive in
many circumstances. NewGround's
Blair lists some of the hurdles to
building new branches: " The cost of
construction is expensive, land costs
are skyrocketing and permitting
is horrific. "
a unique communiTy ParTnershiP
Given those obstacles, leasing
space may be a less risky way to test
a location. " Leasing space in a nice
retail market is less expensive and
faster to market. You can move and
pivot more rapidly. Speed to market
is critically important, " Blair says.
" Those that get in quickly into a
new neighborhood will gain market
share faster. "
Recently, FSCB saw an opportunity
to be a financial partner in Discovery
Park, a development in the city of
Columbia, Mo. The development
is primarily a walk-in space that
combines several buildings, retail
space, restaurants and apartments,
catering to young professionals.
" They're building a community
where people can live, work, do their
shopping and go to restaurants, all
within walking distance, " explains
FSCB's Jennifer Lee, COO.
FSCB moved out of an old branch
and leased space in the development.
" We wanted to be the financial
partner for the community they're
building. This expands our footprint
in a cost-effective way, " Lee adds.
Community bankers continue
to realize the critical role physical
branches play, even as those branches
evolve to meet the changing needs
of the community. " A financial
institution is such a critical piece of a
small community, " observes FSCB's
Carter. " Without that player in the
community, that advocate to provide
funding for the municipality, the
school districts and so forth, it's hard
for the community to grow. " 
Judith Sears is a writer in Colorado.
independentbanker.org // 51
Shepherds
Community Café
manager Cyndi
Lambdin (left) and
Brianna, a volunteer
WHEN COMMUNITY STATE BANK, a community bank in Union Grove,
Wis., renovated its Union Grove location in 2018, it embarked on a
partnership with Shepherds College, a post-secondary school for
students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Union
Grove location houses the Shepherds Community Cafe, which is
staffed by graduates and volunteers from the Shepherds College
culinary arts program. The café, which offers coffee and pastries,
gives students an opportunity to get work experience.
" It's busy every single day, " Wall reports. " For our regulars, it's
the spot where they start their day. Staff and teachers from the
college have meetings there. A lot of our employees start their day
in the café. "
The café has two community rooms that local organizations can
use free of charge. " The community rooms are set up with Wi-Fi,
a flat screen and anything a small business would need to hold a
working meeting, " Wall says. " Local businesses utilize it quite a bit. "
All of the cafe's menu items are available for an " at will " donation.
The bank covers the expenses, receiving some of the donations,
but also giving a portion to Shepherds College. " We didn't put this
together as a revenue stream for the bank, " Wall says. " It's a piece of
our culture and a hub for the community. "
Shepherds College
graduates Brianna
(left) and Leah
(right) volunteer
at Shepherds
Community Café,
which is housed
within Community
State Bank's Union
Grove location.
Photos courtesy of Community State Bank
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - December 2023

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