Go Local for the Holidays

It’s that time of year again where jingle bells are ringing, holiday decorations are lining the streets and children are making their lists and checking them twice. That’s right – it’s time to Go Local for the Holidays!

ICBA is encouraging consumers to Go Local for the Holidays this year by shopping, dining and banking locally. When you patron small businesses, you are putting $68 of every $100 back to work in your local economy. With an estimated 28 million small businesses in the US, there is bound to be a variety of locally owned and operated business close by in your area.

Plan to share a little holiday cheer by supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs this season. Since more than 90 percent of consumers believe it is important to support the locally owned and operated small businesses they value in their community, you won’t be the only one making spirits bright on Main Street this year.

Want to find out more about ICBA’s Go Local initiative and how community banks support local small business throughout the year? Visit www.icba.org/golocal.

Today is Go Local Wednesday!

Today is Go Local Wednesday!

It’s hard to believe that the holidays are right around the corner! If you have some last minute gifts to purchase, feel like dining out, or simply want to support local small businesses and restaurants over the holiday season, your timing couldn’t be better. Today, Dec. 17, is ICBA’s Go Local Wednesday, which encourages consumers to Go Local  with their purchasing, dining and spending during the holiday season.

Throughout Go Local Wednesday, ICBA staff, community bankers nationwide and consumers will be encouraged to visit locally owned and operated businesses and restaurants and share their experience on social media using the hashtag #GoLocalHolidays.

How to share:
Twitter: Tweet @ICBA and use #GoLocalHolidays in your post
Facebook: Tag ICBA in your photo post and include #GoLocalHolidays in the caption
Instagram: Use #GoLocalHolidays in the caption

Voting for the 2014 Main Street Holidays Contest

The top five photos for the 2014 Main Street Holidays contest have been announced! Visit ICBA’s Facebook page to see the top five and don’t forget to vote for your favorite. The photo with the most likes will win $300 for a local charity.

Photos can be shared and commented on, however, that does not go toward the final vote.

Voting officially closes at 9 a.m. (eastern) on Friday, December 19 and the winner will be announced Friday afternoon. Hurry and vote!

VIDEO: 5 Ways to #GoLocalHolidays At Your Community Bank

Go Local for the Holidays

It’s that time of year again! With holiday cheer and spending just around the corner, ICBA and the nation’s community banks are encouraging consumers to Go Local this holiday season with their purchasing, dining and spending.

To show support for entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the holiday season, ICBA will kick off Go Local Wednesday on December 17. Throughout the day, the association’s employees, who are based in offices across the country, will visit various locally owned and operated businesses and restaurants, supporting small business owners and locally based entrepreneurs.

Plan to join us? Let us know how you plan on supporting your locally owned and operated small businesses this holiday season. Share stories and photos!

For additional information, visit www.icba.org/golocal and follow #GoLocalHolidays on Twitter.

Happy Holidays!

Happy holidays and seasons greetings to everyone! We hope you have a great holiday season with your family and friends.

 

Local Michigan Community Bank Gets in Holiday Spirit

Have you seen Thumb National Bank’s holiday video?

And the winner is…

The winner of the first Main Street Holidays Facebook photo contest is Bank of Missouri!

Bank of Missouri’s photo (above) of main street Cape Girardeau captured more than 1,500 likes on ICBA’s Facebook page during the week. The other top five finalists included Paducah Bank, 1^st Bank of Sea Isle City, City Bank and Trust Company, and First Federal of Northern Michigan.

Congrats to Bank of Missouri and the other finalists!

Weren’t one of the five finalists? Don’t worry – you’ll be seeing the other photos submitted during the contest throughout the Go Local blog.

Want to submit a holiday photo to us – even after the contest? ICBA loves to receive photos from community banks any time of year! Feel free to post them in the comments section or submit them to Jessica Wallace at jessica.wallace@icba.org.

Last chance to vote!

Just a friendly reminder that voting ends TOMORROW (Friday, Dec. 20 at 9 a.m. (Eastern time)) for our Main Street Holiday Contest. You can vote for your favorite photo – or even all five! – on ICBA’s Facebook page.

Here are the five community bank finalists:

• Bank of Missouri
• Paducah Bank
• 1st Bank of Sea Isle City
• City Bank and Trust Company
• First Federal of Northern Michigan

Congratulations, once again, to all five of the finalists! And don’t forget to vote by 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 20!

Vote Now!

It’s that time! Voting in our Main Street Holiday Contest is upon us. Head over to ICBA’s Facebook page to vote for your favorite Main Street scene now. Voting ends on Friday, December 20 at 9 a.m. EST so you better hurry!

For rules and additional information about the contest, visit ICBA’s Go Local page.