July 2026
Dear Friends,
This past July 4th the nation celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was reminiscent of the nation’s Bicentennial that was celebrated in 1976. That our form of government has lasted this long and endured so many challenges through the years is certainly a significant milestone.
1976 was also the year that Community first presented its “Total Service” banking concept, and 2026 is the 50th anniversary of its introduction. Customers were informed of the new banking idea in the July 1976 newsletter. Total Service meant that someone could be a customer of Community but could conduct banking transactions from anywhere at any time. The tools Community offered then to accomplish this were a checking account, a telephone and a debit card. Customers could transfer funds between accounts using telephone banking, and they could access cash anywhere using ATMs that were part of ATM networks.
Electronic banking has come a long way since 1976. Online banking, mobile banking, electronic bill pay and other means have made banking much more convenient, and have made customer visits to the bank much less frequent. Community offers these electronic banking products in an affordable way. Community also continues to offer in person banking and provides outstanding personal service from a team of experienced and long tenured staff, as it helps customers save for the future.
Community also helps area residents own homes. Community offers fixed rate mortgage loans for the purchase or refinance of residential properties, along with home equity loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCS) to help borrowers use the equity in their homes to make some important purchase. Community owns all of the loans it has made as a portfolio lender, so it is there to assist borrowers as they pay off their loans through the years. Give us a call or stop in to see how a loan from Community could help you.
Additionally, in 1976, Community introduced its colorful logo. It graphically represented different banking products working together for the convenience of customers. We still use the logo today, but the bank is transitioning to a newer logo that appears on our website. The new logo is more modern in appearance, but it still represents the helpful banking products and services that the bank offers. We will continue to use both logos for the foreseeable future.
Community continues to be an independent, locally managed and mutually owned financial institution. These attributes have many benefits for customers. Since Community first opened in 1944 its goals have remained the same: helping Chicago area residents own homes and save for the future. If you already bank here, thank you for your patronage. If not, consider giving Community a try. We would welcome the opportunity to serve as your Your Personal Neighborhood Bank.
Sincerely,
Dane H. Cleven, President and Chairman
Community Savings Bank, Chicago