July 2025
Dear Friends,
Community has been off to a busy start in 2025. So far this year, the bank has hosted two home buying seminars and our spring shred-a-thon. We also celebrated Tiffany Ocasio’s 25th anniversary, a dedicated staff member, at the bank.
This spring, Community launched a new website featuring an updated logo. The new logo will represent the bank’s brand going forward. It will take some time, however, to fully retire the old logo, which has been in place since 1976. The new website features enhanced functionality, such as a blog with useful information for customers and an interactive ATM locator. Customers can also write in with questions if they are trying to reach the bank after our operating hours. We hope the updated branding on the site gives the bank a more modern look-and-feel to attract the next generation of customers.
The housing supply shortage and rising housing costs continue to be a problem for people looking to buy a home. To make homes more affordable, the bank utilizes several programs, such as the Federal Home Loan Bank’s Downpayment Plus Program. The bank also partners with local organizations, like the Northwest Center to educate consumers about buying and owning a home.
Community also offers a number of products to lower the cost of borrowing for home owners. For example, borrowers can sign up to make automatic mortgage payments and lower their mortgage rate by a ¼ of a percent. Lower interest rates are also offered for customers who make larger down payments. As an independent financial institution, all lending decisions are made locally. And, as a portfolio lender, Community owns and services off of the loans it originates.
The bank continues to offer traditional deposit products to our customers as well as many digital options. Current customers appreciate our online banking site, mobile banking app, mobile wallet, and transfer programs, such as TransferNow and Zelle®.
We are grateful to our long-term customers who have helped establish Community as Your Personal Neighborhood Bank. We encourage our customers to tell the younger generations about the bank and encourage them to open up an account with us.
Sincerely,
Dane H. Cleven, President, Chairman, and CEO
Community Savings Bank, Chicago