The Foundation of Banking: Lasting Relationships
In the dynamic world of banking, where trends shift and economies fluctuate, one constant remains: relationships matter.
For business leaders, the strength of your relationship with your bank can directly influence access to capital, speed of decision-making, and the level of support you receive. That’s where community banks often stand apart.
Data reinforces this reality. A 2023 U.S. Small Business Administration study found that community banks approved nearly half of small business loan applications, compared to just over a quarter approved by national banks. The difference isn’t just numbers — it’s local context. National banks may adjust lending strategies based on global or coastal trends, pulling back from entire industries or markets overnight. What makes sense in California or New York, however, doesn’t always align with the needs or realities of businesses in St. Louis.
That’s why banking should never be a “set it and forget it” decision. It’s essential to periodically reassess whether your banking relationship is still working in your favor.
Here are some key factors to consider:
Has your bank demonstrated continuity through all economic cycles?
It’s easy for a bank to be there for you in good times, but what about in difficult times? Banks that have knee-jerk reactions to trends often shift strategies, exit industries, or rotate relationship managers with little notice — leaving you, the client, scrambling. Continuity across economic cycles provides stability, institutional knowledge, and confidence when decision-making matters most.
To what extent does your bank know the region?
A bank’s understanding of the local market directly influences the quality of its advice and decisions. Lenders who know the region understand local supply chains, labor dynamics, zoning considerations, and industry concentrations — factors that don’t always appear in national credit models. That insight allows banks to structure financing more thoughtfully and anticipate challenges or opportunities that are specific to the local economy. Strong regional knowledge also expands a bank’s ability to make meaningful connections among clients and networks, often leading to partnerships that support long-term growth.
Do you have a banking partner that understands and prioritizes your business?
Choose a banking partner who understands your business and is invested in its long-term success. That starts with access and accountability. Do you have a single point of contact who knows your operations and picks up the phone when you call? According to a 2025 Greenwich Associates study, having a dedicated relationship manager and the responsiveness of that primary contact are the two strongest drivers of client satisfaction.
Long-term stability matters in a banking relationship, because tenure builds trust. Midwest BankCentre recently entered its 120th year serving the St. Louis region, supporting businesses through multiple economic cycles. With deep local roots, the Bank serves as a trusted advisor to nearly 10,000 area business owners and maintains a close connection to the region’s economic realities. That local presence is reinforced through dedicated relationship managers who immerse themselves in their clients’ business needs and help them evaluate opportunities, manage risk, and make timely, informed decisions.
As the year ahead unfolds, businesses face a landscape marked by cooling growth, shifting interest rates, and continued uncertainty. In times like these, strong banking relationships matter most. The right banking partner helps you prepare for multiple outcomes, stay grounded in local realities, and move forward with confidence — regardless of what the broader economy brings.
It Matters Where You Bank™
Originally published in the St. Louis Business Journal’s Ask the Expert section in February of 2026 by Danny R. Pogue, President – Commercial, Retail, & Small Business Banking, Midwest BankCentre