Oct 29, 2024
- Buckeye Community Bank proudly stands as the only locally owned financial institution, as other institutions have disappeared through acquisitions.
- Buckeye was shaped by those who saw the value in nurturing the local economy by ensuring accessible funding was available to local businesses and individuals.
- Buckeye’s strength remains its decision-making, made locally by a knowledgeable team that evaluates all aspects of the local market and the individual rather than just following algorithms.
Buckeye Community Bank, a cornerstone of financial stability and community growth in Lorain County, is thrilled to kick off its 25th anniversary celebration this month. Since opening its doors in October 1999, Buckeye has remained dedicated to building a brighter financial future for local businesses, residents and the larger community.
“We’re incredibly proud to reach this milestone,” said Buckeye President and CEO Ben P. Norton. “Buckeye Community Bank exemplifies the importance of local financial institutions in building and maintaining a vibrant community. From day one, we set out to be more than just a bank – our team has aimed to build strong relationships and the type of partner that people can trust.”
Buckeye opened on October 12, 1999, with a team of 13 employees and one location. The institution has grown to four locations and a team of 47 today, reflecting its unwavering commitment to growth and exceptional service. During the past year, Buckeye has opened four new sites to bring “The Buckeye Way of Banking” to more area communities. The expansion has included a new Main Branch across from its original site on North Ridge Road, a Loan Production and Servicing Center in Avon, an Operations Center in Sheffield Village and a new branch in LaGrange.
“For Buckeye, having its leadership and its team rooted in the community has always been vital to ensuring that decisions affecting stability and growth are made with a local perspective,” Norton added. “Our team’s approach has been grounded in the community’s needs.”
Since its founding, the local banking landscape has been dramatically reshaped by the acquisition of numerous area banks, absorbed by larger regional and national entities. Against this backdrop of consolidation in the late 1990s, Billy S. Rowland, a well-respected entrepreneur and local philanthropist, gathered a team to ensure that local businesses and residents had access to financial resources to compete in a marketplace that was rapidly transforming, one where local firms struggled to find financial partners who believed in their potential.
“Buckeye Community Bank was founded with a clear mission of partnering with local businesses, organizations and people to keep our community thriving,” said James A. Park, Chair of Buckeye Bancshares Inc., the parent of Buckeye Community Bank. “Reaching this milestone is a shared success made possible by our loyal clients, dedicated partners and hardworking team. We’re excited to continue serving our community for many more years.”
The Buckeye team will hold a series of initiatives to celebrate this milestone throughout the next year. As the bank steps into the next 25 years, it remains committed to delivering exceptional service and embracing innovative technologies – making banking more accessible without losing that personalized touch customers love.
