What makes a community bank different from a national institution?
According to Gunnison Bank and Trust President and CEO, Ashley John Burt, it comes down to something simple: knowing the people and the community it serves.
After nearly 31 years with GB&T, Burt has watched banking evolve, but said the fundamentals remain the same: personal relationships, local decision-making and customer service rooted in trust.
One of the biggest misconceptions, he said, is that all banks operate the same way.
“A large bank must make policies and decisions for a market that spans the whole country... But what if your bank understood your area and the economics of it?” Burt said. “That is one of the biggest differences. GB&T is one of only two financial institution charters headquartered in the Valley.”
That local perspective is something customers often notice after switching from a larger institution.
Beyond avoiding many of the fees they may have been paying elsewhere, Burt said they appreciate knowing the people behind the counter and having access to staff who can make decisions without routing every request through a corporate office.
“Customers appreciate being known by their bank,” Burt said. “These are the cornerstones of a local model, and they have not changed.”
For GB&T, that commitment to local relationships continues to define what community banking is all about.
“We look out for each other, work hard and make a point of enjoying our lives and where we live,” Burt said. “At GB&T we really enjoy helping folks make this concept a part of their day to day lives.”
To learn more about the services offered by GB&T, visit their website at gunnisonbank.com.
Gunnison Bank and Trust is part of the Gunnison Country Times Community Connect sponsored content program.
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