Small banks, big city

Small-town banks see a great opportunity in the Big Apple.

In a move that capitalizes on recent anti-big-bank sentiment, the Independent Community Bankers of America is kicking off a Go Local campaign that will feature community-bank-focused messages on the CBS Spectacular jumbo screen in New York’s Times Square. The campaign runs through Jan. 1.

Emphasizing better customer service, more one-on-one relationships and the pride one can take away from reinvesting in one’s community, ICBA will encourage customers to bank locally.

The small-bank message will appear hourly and urge consumers to “make a statement with the bank you choose.”

ICBA represents almost 5,000 of the nation’s 7,000 community banks, with its members holding more than $1 trillion in assets, $900 billion in deposits and $700 billion in loans to consumers, small businesses and the agricultural community.

According to the New York City Transportation Department, 350,000 pedestrians pass through Times Square on a typical day.