In The News
Charter Bank Does not Need to Respond to New Personal Banking Trend
Santa Fe, NM (11/06/03) There is a new breed of community banks that are getting back to basics, but Charter Bank doesn't need to.
In a July report on banking trends, Dean Reynolds, abc World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, reports that "When people are holding tight to their money, that's exactly the time when they need a different approach to banking. They want to feel a tighter partnership with their bank."
Charter Bank has always offered that approach to community banking.
"The attraction of banking with Charter is our willingness to be creative when mapping out financial solutions. We take into account qualitative factors, such as an owner's business history and relationship with customers and suppliers, and his or her standing in the community, before making credit decisions," states Michael Hartman, senior vice president, commercial loan officer.
Charter's corporate philosophy has been consistent over the more than 25 years of its existence in the Santa Fe community. When most banks moved away from personal customer service to alternative delivery systems, Charter remained committed to a very personal delivery model, which means decisions are made locally and its customers are known by name.
"Charter Bank's guiding principal is 'the customer is our reason for being,' and that is the only "trend" we respond to," says Hartman.
Charter Bank
Locally owned and operated, Charter provides a diverse range of financial services, including retail banking, residential/commercial mortgage and insurance. It combines the capabilities, resources and product range of larger banks with the local decision making, market knowledge and customer service of a community bank. Founded in 1976, it is the sixth largest financial institution in New Mexico, with six branches in Santa Fe and Albuquerque and lending offices across New Mexico and Idaho. Charter leads the state in residential mortgage approval, funding and servicing. The company is also one of the largest commercial loan originators in New Mexico.
For details, contact:
Susan Millspaugh
1-800-370-3345
www.charterco.com
