A lot of banks claim to offer community support, but recently I came across a bank that really delivers on this promise. I first noticed Albina Community Bank‘s presence in a few restaurant and shops on NE Fremont Street in Portland. These local establishments were displaying “certificates” on their walls that acknowledged their presence as small, community based businesses. The certificates, distributed by none other than Albina Community Bank, contained a blurb and photo spotlighting the featured establishment and several paragraphs about Albina. Brilliant, what a way to get noticed, spread your message and get free bank marketing all at once!
Albina does a good job differentiating their bank brand and positioning themselves as the bank that “exists for a reason”. They specialize in serving non-profits and partner with many community building organizations such as the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs and the Portland Housing Center to name a few. The bank’s mission statement says that they “create hope and financial opportunity for the economically underserved by building lasting banking relationships with those who care most about our community.”
From what I’ve seen so far, they really seem to be delivering on this statement and proving their story. It’s refreshing to see a bank that isn’t all over the map when it comes the services they offer, and that sticks to its guns when it comes marketing itself.
