2022 is a time to re-connect

From the earliest days of the pandemic, when residents came together to show support for healthcare workers, sew cloth masks and attend virtual charity benefits, the strength of the Fredericksburg community was on full display. Another year later, we’ve been able to watch this community mobilize to run vaccine drives, distribute meals to children during virtual school and support local businesses and restaurants with enthusiasm.

At Community Bank of the Chesapeake, the past two years have taught us how grateful we are to be a part of the Fredericksburg community. As we all emerge from this challenging time, let’s not lose that spirit of supporting one another and rallying behind our local institutions. Our many nonprofits, churches, schools and small businesses are crucial to the fabric of this community. But you might be surprised to know that choosing to do business with a community bank is another way you can help strengthen your local economy.

Community banks make more than 50% of small business loans, according to the Independent Community Bankers of America. When businesses around the country scrambled to access federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans intended to help them stay afloat during pandemic shutdowns, community banks, with their focus on personal relationships with customers, stepped up to a high degree. An analysis by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors found that nationwide, community banks’ share of PPP loans as a percentage of their total assets was more than five times that of non-community banks.

We believe 2022 marks the start of an exciting new era of reconnecting with each other. What are your dreams for this year? Whether you want to start a business, get serious about saving or teach your children money-management skills, Community Bank of the Chesapeake has personalized and convenient offerings that will help you move toward your financial goals while supporting our strong Fredericksburg community. Here are some of the ways we’re here to serve you.

 

Visit us in our new branch

We will open a new branch in the Harrison Crossing shopping center in Spotsylvania County in  Spring 2022. This new location will provide added convenience to our customers in this area of the Fredericksburg region.  Stay tuned for branch opening events and offers.

 

Enjoy our Perks 

A checking account at Community Bank of the Chesapeake gives you access to our Community Perks. Just download our Community Perks app and you’ll have access to discounts from a range of local and national merchants. Local discounts include community favorites such as Sammy T’s, Paul’s Bakery, Castiglia’s Italian Restaurant, Juan More Taco, the Rappahannock Area YMCA and many more! Our perks accounts also include access to roadside assistance, mobile phone protection and ID theft aid. Visit our website, cbtc.com,or our branch at 425 William Street to learn more.

 

 

The perfect first account for kids

Children under 12 are eligible for our Kids’ Club accounts, which are a great way to teach money-management skills to children. Kids Club account holders become members of our Green Team, which delivers kid-appropriate lessons about saving and managing money. Green Team members get their own membership card, a free “Fillup the Frog” bank, a special passbook to record their savings, a birthday card, gifts from our Green Team mascots, and more.

 

Supercharge your savings

 

Whether you’re planning for college or thinking ahead to retirement, our wealth division can help you build an investment plan to achieve your goals. From trust and estate planning to figuring out what your retirement savings goal should be, let us help you grow your money while managing risk.

 

Innovative features to make banking easier

When the pandemic forced the closure of bank branches, many Community Bank of the Chesapeake customers were pleased to discover that our mobile and online banking capabilities rival those of any larger bank. From making deposits to transferring money to paying bills, it’s all at your fingertips with our mobile banking options. We are always looking for the latest innovations in personal and business banking, then adopting them in a way that preserves the personal touch we’re known for.

Our new Harrison Crossing branch will serve customers with both in-person tellers and ITMs, or “interactive teller machines.” These are like ATMs, but equipped with a video terminal that allows users to speak with a teller on screen. We hope that this will be an added convenience for customers who enjoy being served this way.

 

Community-minded, all the time

There’s a reason we put the word “community” in our name. We are always looking for fun and meaningful ways to support the businesses and organizations that are so vital to the communities we serve. Our holiday toy and food drive supported the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank and local Toys for Tots. We regularly deploy our Community Cash Mob, a group of employees who come together at a designated time to spend money at a local business, and encourage neighbors to shop along with them. Our Cash Mob visited Meadows Farms in Fredericksburg in December. In addition, we are proud supporters of Fredericksburg VA Main Street Inc., the Fredericksburg Area Museum, as well as other nonprofits in our community.

 

We can’t wait to serve you in this new year. Come in and see us at 425 William Street, or visit our website at cbtc.com to learn more.