Like most things related to banking and managing money, choosing a bank can seem complicated and even stressful at first. There are so many options to choose from, and the sheer number of perks and features for each product can be enough to make your head spin. How do you decide what’s right for you?

The beginning of the year is a great time to reevaluate your banking situation and figure out what’s working for you and what’s not. Your financial needs can vary from year to year as you change jobs, grow your family, expand your business, move to a new area, and more. You shouldn’t be staying at a bank that can’t meet your current needs. As you think about your finances and look at banking options, take the following into account.

What do you want from your bank?

If you like talking with a banker face to face and doing your business in person, you’ll want to be close to a physical bank branch.

You may take out a lot of cash throughout the month and want to be able to use an ATM without any fees.

You could be extremely busy getting your small business off the ground and don’t have time to stop at a bank branch to get your business organized. That’s where online banking or cash management services would come in handy.

What if you’re in a rush and don’t want to get out of your car to do a transaction? Then you’ll probably need an ITM!

All of these things are important to consider when choosing a bank, so it’s crucial that you confirm what services and options your bank has available to you. If you’re ever not sure of what something is or how it can be beneficial to you, just ask! Bank staff are always eager to answer your questions because we want you to be comfortable and confident in your banking decisions.

Is your bank secure?

In today’s world, you can never be too careful with your money and your personal information. Scammers are constantly trying to get you to give away your hard-earned cash. You want a bank that has your best interests in mind, not one that’s just interested in how much money you bring in.

At Availa Bank, we are FDIC insured and have several great features in our mobile app that can help you keep your account secure, no matter where you go or what you’re doing. You can enable fraud alert texts or shut off your card, all from the mobile app. If you lose your debit card or know it’s been compromised, we can issue you a new one right away.

Does your bank take ownership?

It can be easy to settle into the status quo. Many businesses across all industries are guilty of this. However, when you look for a bank, you don’t want one that only does the bare minimum, do you? At Availa Bank, we strive to take ownership of our actions and have the initiative to make our bank the best it can be. Each team member takes pride in their work and does their best to know you by name. If we promise you something, we will do everything we can to fulfill that promise in a timely manner.

Does your bank believe in making a difference?

A bank is only as good as its people, and at Availa Bank, we have the best of the best. We believe our people make a difference. When we hire someone, we only choose individuals that we know are here to make the bank a better place. If your current bank isn’t focused on growth, how can you expect the best to be offered to you?

Does your bank value and foster a relationship with you?

At Availa Bank, we believe it’s important to focus on the individual first. When you bank with us, we want to develop a relationship with you and earn your trust. You should never feel confused or overwhelmed about banking products or services offered to you. We’re here to help and know that client relationships are key. You’ll never feel like just a number at our bank.

Does your bank give back to the community?

As a community bank, we know how important it is to support those that make our communities a better place to live and work. We want each and every community we’re a part of to know that we are here to serve them and help them grow. Our dedication to worthy causes is what makes us a true community bank. Just take a look at some of our most recent donations and events throughout this past year: Mission Statement, Vision & Values - Availa Bank.

Does your bank strive to be better than yesterday?

Like we said before, it can be easy to settle into a routine and get comfortable where you’re at, but that can be a death sentence to a community bank. At Availa Bank, we want you to be comfortable using the services you need in the way you prefer to use them. You shouldn’t be forced to go into a branch for service if you don’t want to and you shouldn’t be forced online to finish a banking transaction if you’d rather go in person. We’re here for your needs, not ours.

So, how do I decide on the bank that’s right for me?

Take some time to truly research the banks you’re interested in. Compare the accounts they offer and think about your banking needs. Once you’ve done that, give the bank a call or stop in to the actual branch to have a conversation with an employee. Sometimes the best way to get a feel for the bank and how they’ll treat you is to talk to them face to face. If you want to give Availa Bank a shot, know that we’ll do everything we can to get you on the right track in your financial journey. We’ll show you what a community bank is all about. It’s right in our mission statement: empower our team to inspire and enable our clients and the communities we serve to achieve financial success. Give us a call or stop in today!