To the public, all banks seem alike. But banking insiders make important distinctions between community banks and all … other banks. Policymakers worry that community banks’ unique characteristics threaten their survival in the face of industry … banks have not only survived but often prospered. ; This article explores the differences between community banks and larger …

reduced number and market share of community banks. The number of banks with less than $1 billion in assets – a common …, while community banks’ share fell from about one third of the market to well under one fifth …

Despite some dire predictions, community banks have not been driven out of the market by megabanks. On the contrary …

Though a variety of competitive challenges persist, many community banks are thriving …