056: Why Community Banks Matter with Fred DeBiasi of Valley Central Bank

Today, we’re talking to Fred DeBiasi. He’s the CEO of Valley Central Bank, a community bank here in Ohio. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he’s shifted his business model and worked to deliver a different kind of consumer experience in the face of a wide array of challenges.  In his words, Valley Central experienced a triple whammy: an intense merger in August 2019, the COVID pandemic, and the PPP lending rush. Throughout all of it, they were able to continue serving their clients and emerged in great shape on the other side.  In this conversation, we’re talking about why community banks matter in 2021, how Fred shifted operations to keep his employees safe and his customers afloat, and what he’s doing to keep relationships alive in the era of digital banking with less foot traffic in his lobbies than ever before. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn:  How the pandemic drove Fred to reassess how his bank delivers products and services. The biggest challenges Fred’s customers have seen over the course of the pandemic. Fred’s philosophy when it comes to investing–and how he talks to customers about keeping their money safe. How Valley Central kept their corporate culture intact through a merger. The reasons why this is a great time to borrow money. To get access to today's show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned, visit TheRetirementTrainer.com/56 How Fit Is Your Retirement Plan?  We can help you manage your finances so you can pursue your goals. To learn more, visit EGSIFinancial.com