As the Director and Vice Chair of our local community bank, I am a firm believer in the pivotal role of local banking in community building. The provision of localised services, particularly the personal touch customers experience when they visit a branch, is something I consider crucial. The redistribution of profits to local shareholders and the broader community through grants and sponsorships yields tangible economic and social benefits for the region. Collaborating with a diverse board of directors allows for the exchange of a wide array of experiences and ideas, an aspect of my role I find incredibly fulfilling. It's surprising, even to myself, how deeply passionate I have become about community banking.

— Matt Bowd