ICBA Encourages Consumers to Go Local for the Holidays
Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) November 21, 2014 -- With holiday cheer and spending just around the corner, the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) and the nation’s community banks are encouraging consumers to Go Local this holiday season with their purchasing, dining and spending. By supporting small businesses throughout the holidays, consumers will be putting money back to work in their communities.
“As consumers across the country prepare their holiday shopping lists and get started with purchasing either in stores or online, it’s important to remember that many locally owned and operated small businesses offer exceptional products and services,” said John Buhrmaster, ICBA chairman and president and CEO of 1st National Bank of Scotia, N.Y. “By going local for the holidays—even if it’s not every item on your list—you you will make a huge difference in your local economy by putting dollars to work in your neighborhood.”
To show support for entrepreneurs and small businesses this holiday season, ICBA will kick off Go Local Wednesday on Dec. 17. Throughout the day, the association’s employees, who are based in offices throughout the country, will visit various locally owned and operated businesses and restaurants, supporting small business owners and locally based entrepreneurs. The association will also encourage community bankers and consumers around the country to do the same. For more information on ways to participate in Go Local Wednesday, follow ICBA on Twitter or the hashtag #GoLocalHolidays.
“ICBA and community banks across the country realize the vital importance of America’s small businesses, and we are looking forward to continuing our support for them throughout this holiday season,” said Chris Lorence, ICBA executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “As we look ahead to Go Local Wednesday, ICBA staff is committed to shopping at locally owned and operated businesses and restaurants near our offices. Just as our nation’s community banks do each and every day, we are proud to play a part in helping our local economy thrive.”
To learn more about ICBA’s Go Local initiative and ways you can go local this holiday season and throughout the year, visit http://www.icba.org/golocal and follow the hashtag #GoLocalHolidays.
For additional information about community banks, visit http://www.icba.org. To find a community bank in your area, visit ICBA’s community bank locator at http://www.banklocally.org.
About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America®, the nation’s voice for more than 6,500 community banks of all sizes and charter types, is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education and high-quality products and services. For more information, visit http://www.icba.org.
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Aleis Stokes, Independent Community Bankers of America, +1 (202) 821-4457, [email protected]
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