As we celebrate Community Banking Month alongside our 140th anniversary, we’re proud to recognize one of our longest standing customer relationship – Stearnswood, Inc.
Citizens Bank & Trust Co. was established in 1886, and Stearnswood, Inc. followed shortly after in 1892. From the very beginning, our histories have been closely connected. Historical records show members of the Stearns family in the, E. J. Stearns, Spencer Stearns, and Max M. Stearns serving on the Board of Directors for Citizens Bank & Trust Co.
Over the decades, banking has evolved but the relationship has remained strong.
Corey Stearns recalls visiting the Bank as a child, when teller cages lined the lobby. Which is very different from today’s modern experience. Yet what hasn’t changed is the reason Stearnswood continues to bank with us: trust, reliability, and a shared commitment to doing things the right way.
Today, that partnership helps Stearnswood operate more efficiently. Mark Stearns shared the value of modern conveniences such as remote deposit capabilities and the ability to manage banking directly from their business. And when it mattered most, we were there. From supporting equipment purchases during the 2009 recession to assisting with expansion in 2022, our team has worked alongside theirs every step of the way.
As Corey shared, the relationship goes beyond business, it’s personal. From family friendships to decades of collaboration, it’s a true example of what community banking is all about.
