Sponsored Content

Your bank account can help build your community

Published 11:14 am Monday, August 10, 2026

Every time you deposit your paycheck, you’re making a decision most people never think about. Your choice of bank affects more than where your money is held. It can also have a lasting impact on the community you call home.

Community banks have long played a unique role in the local economy. When you bank with a community bank, your deposits help finance home purchases, provide loans that allow businesses to grow, and support local economic activity. Beyond lending, community banks also invest in the places they serve through nonprofit partnerships, volunteerism, sponsorships, and personalized financial guidance.

That’s one of the reasons Chris Walsh has spent his career in community banking. After recently joining First Fed as Chief Banking Officer, he says what drew him to the industry decades ago still holds true today.

“Community banking is the backbone of a bank,” Walsh says. “It’s really where your clients are serviced.”

Chris Walsh, Chief Banking Officer at First Fed.

Since arriving at First Fed, Walsh has spent time visiting each of the bank’s retail branches, meeting employees and seeing firsthand how they serve customers. What impressed him most wasn’t a product or a process – it was the culture.

He describes branch teams that know their customers, actively participate in community events and genuinely enjoy helping the people who walk through the door.

“I’ve never been at a bank that has such a core belief in their clients at the branch level,” he says, adding that First Fed’s commitment to welcoming customers and being involved in the community creates “a very unique culture… and it’s wonderful to see.”

That customer-first approach has become a hallmark of First Fed. Earlier this year, the bank was named a Forbes Best-in-State Bank for 2026, earning the recognition for the second consecutive year and the third time overall. The recognition is based largely on customer feedback, reinforcing the value customers place on exceptional service, trusted relationships, and a banking experience that puts people first.

For Walsh, those relationships begin with listening.

He believes every customer – whether they’re opening their first checking account, buying a home, or growing a business – has different goals. The role of a community bank isn’t to fit everyone into the same solution, but to understand what matters most to them.

“Each client is different and unique,” he says. “You have to talk to them and listen to them. Listening is the key. If you listen, you’ll find out what their needs are, and then if you can match those needs with the right products, they have a win-win situation.”

That philosophy extends beyond individual customers to the communities they call home.

When people choose to bank with an organization that actively invests in local nonprofits, community events, and neighborhood initiatives, Walsh believes they’re supporting something bigger than themselves.

“If you bank at a bank that’s really out in the community and servicing the nonprofit needs in your community, you should be very proud,” he says. “You’re putting money back in the community and making your community a better place.”

As banking continues to evolve, it’s easy to assume technology will eventually replace personal service. Mobile banking, artificial intelligence, and digital tools have transformed the industry, making everyday transactions faster and more convenient than ever before.

Walsh sees those innovations should enhance the banking experience, not replace the personal relationships that define community banking.

“People bank with people,” he says. While technology helps customers bank whenever and wherever they choose, he believes life’s biggest financial decisions still benefit from a conversation with someone who understands their individual circumstances.

That human connection is something he noticed immediately after arriving at First Fed. He was struck by how many on the First Fed team have spent years – even decades – serving the same communities, allowing customers to build lasting relationships with people who know them by name.

“It’s unbelievable how long many of our team members have been here,” Walsh says. “Our customers can experience seeing the same person day after day or week after week because they’ve been there for years.”

For customers, that consistency means having someone to turn to when life changes, whether they’re saving for retirement, expanding a business, buying a first home, or simply wondering if they’re on the right financial path.

As Walsh puts it, First Fed’s role is to “take the time to meet with you one-on-one… not the digital plan, not the in-the-box plan, but your plan,” helping customers build a financial future that works for them and their families.

Most people never think about what happens after they deposit a paycheck. But every day, those deposits become part of something bigger. They help neighbors buy homes, businesses grow, nonprofits serve more people, and communities thrive. That’s the lasting impact of community banking, and it’s why where you bank matters.

Walsh encourages anyone looking to open an account, grow a business, finance a home, or simply gain a better understanding of their financial options to connect with a local First Fed banker. He believes every financial journey is different and that the best place to start is with a conversation.

“We’ll take the time to understand your goals, answer your questions, and help you find solutions that are right for you,” Walsh says. “That’s what community banking is all about.”

To schedule a consultation with a local First Fed banker or learn more about First Fed’s personal and business banking services, visit your nearest branch or explore the accounts and resources available at ourfirstfed.com.