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Why SBMC?

You and your community benefit when you choose Savings Bank of Mendocino County.

Savings Bank is the only bank chartered in Mendocino County and the only financial institution with its headquarters in Mendocino County

This is more than a technicality. This means that our headquarters, our decision making, our physical facilities, our Board, management, and employees are all here.

Local ownership

The majority of our shares are owned by shareholders that live in Mendocino and Lake Counties, the counties that are our primary market area. Those outside the area have family or business ties to the area. We have no institutional shareholders. This means that the profits we earn and the dividends we pay benefit local residents, not some hedge fund or investment bank in New York City.

Local Board of Directors

100% of our Directors live in Mendocino or Lake County. We are all invested in the community. We live and work here. Our friends, families and business associates are here. We know the businesses, non-profits, and individuals that we serve. They are our neighbors.

Local management

Our management team lives and works in Mendocino and Lake Counties. Decisions are made by people that know the community, that know and frequent the businesses, and that know many of the individuals that we serve. We know the local economy, the local issues, and what is important to our friends and neighbors.

Local employment

We provide nearly 200 professional jobs in Mendocino and Lake Counties. Almost all of our positions have opportunities for advancement. We have a comprehensive management succession plan that focuses on developing the next generation of leadership from our current, local employee base. We develop our employees and equip them with the skills they need to succeed and make a career with the Bank. We work toward a goal of not needing to import talent from outside our markets if we can possibly meet our needs from within. With salaries and benefits provide significant economic stability and stimulation to the economy.

Local investment

The vast majority of our loans are made to customers in Mendocino and Lake Counties. If it is not in those counties, it is probably because one of our local customers has business interests outside the county. When our shareholders invest in Savings Bank, or our depositors entrust their funds to us, they can be assured that they are supporting the local economy and benefiting the communities that they live in and care about. These loans that are creating local jobs, producing local goods and services, building local buildings and residences. Your dollars aren’t loaned out in Charlotte or New York or Portland.

Community involvement and support

The Bank contributes to local non-profit organizations that support the youth, elderly, needy, arts, education, public safety, and economic development. Employees donate thousands of hours of time to non-profit organizations and community events each year. One program that has made a significant impact in our communities is our Casual for a Cause – Denim Days. Through this program employees have the opportunity to donate to local non-profits and show their support by wearing jeans to work on Fridays. The Bank also makes a monetary donation through this program to local non-profits which are selected by employees on a monthly basis. Since the program started, employees and the Bank have donated over $150,000 to local non-profits.

Financial commitment

Savings Bank’s capital ratios are among the top of all banks of our size nationwide. That means that since 1903 we have retained more earnings relative to our asset size than most community banks our size. This capital is the Bank’s own money that we are reinvesting in the community at a much higher level than most of our peers. With our own money at risk, we are that much more committed to the success of the community.

None of this is possible without the support of our customers and the community

It is only because you trust us with your deposits and come to us for loans to help reach your financial goals that we can operate, thrive, and help provide financial stability to the communities we serve. And without a good community bank, our businesses, non-profits, and individuals would be at a financial disadvantage. So really, is there a better, more impactful return on your investment? It is hard to understand why anyone would not choose their local community bank to meet all of their financial needs.