Reinvesting in Your Community

January 15, 2026

By:

by Kayla Schnellman

Do you believe in reinvesting in your community, but are struggling with how to put that into action? One surefire way is to do business with a community bank. Who you choose to bank with matters just as much as which stores you choose to shop at.

Community Banks Strengthen the Local Economy

If you’ve ever wondered if it matters where you deposit your hard-earned money, let me assure you it does. Not only does banking locally support small businesses (community banks fund nearly 60% of small business loans and more than 80% of agricultural loans), but as locally owned and operated businesses themselves, they are part of the economic engines that have powered 63% of net jobs created since 1995.

Community banks like New Tripoli Bank use your deposits to distribute loans that feed into a self-sustaining micro-economy that keeps funds in the Lehigh Valley. Moreover, community banks reinvest your dollars into the community through donations and sponsorships for local organizations and nonprofits. It is all part of a symbiotic relationship that community banks have with their communities. And the proceeds from those businesses create jobs, fund municipalities, and continue the cycle of locally based economic growth.

Consider the community bank impact on local communities:

Community banks’ net satisfaction score topped large banks by 13 points, finance companies by 25 points, and online lenders by 60 points.
70% of community bank loan applicants were satisfied with their experience, compared with 59% at large banks, 50% at finance companies, and 28% at online lenders.
Community banks operate in areas abandoned by others—serving as the only physical banking presence in nearly one in five U.S. counties.

Community Banks Offer Personalized Service

The choice to do business with a community bank is not just about the broader economy. When customers contact New Tripoli Bank, they are greeted by a talented team member who is attuned to their respective needs.

Community banks like New Tripoli Bank believe in building strong, long-term relationships with our customers through reliability, flexibility and goodwill. Because community banks serve a smaller geographic area than national banks, they are able to provide more flexible lending options for consumers and businesses, often assessing the broader picture of a person or organization’s financial situation, rather than just basing decisions off automated information, like credit scores.

Further, community banks also put a greater emphasis on maintaining long-standing relationships with their core depositors. While larger financial institutions seem to constantly change their service offerings in reaction to market trends, community banks focus on stability and reliability, which allows for them to plan for the future confidently. Making strategic decisions regarding lending and expansion is a component of that focus. This is one of the main reasons New Tripoli Bank has remained independent for 116 years.

Conclusion

We want to thank our customers for putting their trust in us for their banking needs. At New Tripoli Bank we pledge to never lose sight of the all-important relationships we hold and the personalized service our customers expect. Community banks are only successful if our customers and communities are, too. That’s why community banks and our relationship-based business model have thrived for over a century.

We know what it takes to create successful local economies. Join us in helping to build a vibrant economy here at home, in our community. We look forward to serving you soon.

Kayla Schnellman is the Client Services Lead for our New Tripoli Office. She has worked for New Tripoli Bank for over seven years, where she has worked as Community Banker, Customer Service Representative, and Head Teller. When she's not working, she enjoys spending time with friends and with her three dogs.

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