Independent Banker - July 2019 - 47

Consumer and mortgage: $1 billion or more
Rank
Bank name
1
We're trying to
create a culture that
is unique and easily
recognizable to our
customer base. "
-Mark Masters,
Mechanics Bank
only to see those same applicants
return in the future. Lenders give
valuable advice so that borrowers are
able to come back and obtain a loan
when their circumstances are diff erent.
Founded in 1886, Mechanics
Bank has a long history of serving
Richland County. The community
bank continues to reach new
customers through video and guerilla
marketing in social media and original
educational and strategic marketing.
The bank also tries to have a little fun
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
15
16
17
18
19
First Federal Savings and Loan Association of
Lakewood
Northpointe Bank
Haven Savings Bank
Kennebec Savings Bank
Think Mutual Bank
Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley
Chelsea Groton Bank
BAC Florida Bank
Metro City Bank
Savings Bank of Danbury
UniBank for Savings
Cornerstone Bank
13 Maspeth Federal Savings and Loan Association
Jersey Shore State Bank
Dedham Institution for Savings
Royal Business Bank
Leader Bank, N.A.
First PREMIER Bank
20
Northfield Savings Bank
HarborOne Bank
in the process. It created a YouTube
video with a staff er disguised as
a talking ATM who chatted with
customers and handed out extra cash
to drive-up customers who were willing
to sing, car dance or take selfi es.
" We're trying to create a culture
City
Lakewood
Grand Rapids
Hoboken
Augusta
Rochester
Bethlehem
Norwich
Coral Gables
Doraville
Danbury
Whitinsville
Spencer
Maspeth
Williamsport
Dedham
Los Angeles
Arlington
Sioux Falls
Northfield
Brockton
State
OH
MI
NJ
ME
MN
PA
CT
FL
GA
CT
MA
MA
NY
PA
MA
CA
MA
SD
VT
MA
Consumer &
mortgage loans to
assets ratio
70.56%
66.40%
63.12%
61.69%
59.49%
52.73%
52.60%
52.50%
50.85%
50.75%
50.29%
50.20%
50.16%
49.55%
46.74%
46.67%
46.41%
46.08%
45.82%
45.42%
that is unique and easily recognizable
to our customer base, " Masters says.
" We try to do fun things online that
capture their attention, and we try to
demonstrate that what they will fi nd
at our bank is diff erent than what they
fi nd elsewhere. "
Commercial
M&A activity fuels
growth at First Bank
The New Jersey community bank has seen robust growth
through its M&A strategy and by cultivating lasting
customer relationships.
By Beth Mattson-Teig
C
ommercial lending at First Bank in
Hamilton, N.J., has soared in parallel with
its rapid expansion. Founded in 2007, the
community bank has acquired three small fi nancial
institutions in the region over the past fi ve years,
which has helped boost its asset size to more than
$1.8 billion.
First Bank's commercial lending business has
clearly benefi ted from its acquisition strategy,
which has expanded its geographic footprint to 18
branches across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. " We
want to continue to grow the bank, and M&A is part
independentbanker.org Q 45
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Independent Banker - July 2019

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