WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 23, 2009--(
BUSINESS WIRE)--While most banks closed their 2008 books in the red with hopes of getting a piece of the $192-billion bailout pie, a local, family run bank in Washington is celebrating an important anniversary—120 straight years of profitability and shareholder dividends.
The National Capital Bank of Washington, with assets of $257 million, is a hidden gem in the DC banking arena, with its solid performance and conservative approach making it unique in today’s tumultuous industry.
“Ten years ago, conservative banking practices were not a big story,” says NCB President
James Didden.(top right photo) “But now, it is what makes our bank unique. It helped position us apart from the rest during these tumultuous economic times.
Philosophies that our family established 100 years ago shepherded us through a multitude of economic hard times over the last century.
It is interesting to note that those fiscally conservative philosophies still work today.”
NCB weathered the economic crisis of 1893, the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression that followed, the recession of the 1970s, the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s and the bank merger and acquisition frenzy of the 1990s.
Not only did the bank survive, but it continued to remain profitable and provide dividends to its shareholders.
What makes NCB different from the array of financial institutions lining the DC banking landscape?
Foremost are the bank’s underwriting policies, the principles of which have been consistent over time.
NCB has resisted the risky lending practices of the past decade. Consumer real estate loans still require 20 percent down and the bank’s management meticulously reviews every loan application.
In addition, all account documentation and decision making authority rests locally in the main office on Capitol Hill—not farmed out to headquarters located in another city.
Also, all NCB money held in deposit from their customers is infused back into the community through local loans, not redirected to other areas of the region.
National Capital Bank also holds the ideal of a “preferred rate to a preferred customer.”
“Spending money to run people down for collections takes away from our bottom line,” explains Mr. Didden. “So we lend to those who are a good credit risk and we reward them with competitive rates, as they keep our costs lower.”
The bank also credits the personal relationships they have with their clients as a key to their success.
“We have little staff turnover, and in fact, some are second generation employees; they know most of our customers by name,” explains Mr. Didden.
“Because those personal relationships and access to top management are so important, my desk sits on the floor of our Main Office where customers don’t hesitate to approach me.”
NCB management policies are firmly established, but their array of products offers the latest in banking technology.
“We try and stay away from some of the strictly trendy stuff, but useful new technologies that benefit our customers are important to us,” says Mr. Didden.
NCB also makes giving back to the community a priority.
Two years ago the bank established The National Capital Bank Fund of the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region Foundation, a vehicle to funnel money to the community in order to help local groups.
To date, the foundation has donated thousands of dollars to local community charities.
The National Capital Bank of Washington has been recognized over the past decade with numerous accolades:
Only DC bank rated five stars in Bankrate.com’s “safe and sound ratings,”
Five-Star rating from Bauer Financial Inc. for exceptional performance for 79 consecutive quarters,
Only bank in DC area rated A+ for excellent financial security by Weiss Ratings on TheStreet.com,
Rated best bank in DC for small business loans by Entrepreneur Magazine,
Rated “One of the Top Banks & Thrifts” by the Washington Business Journal for 2008,
Awarded the 100-Year Old Small Business of the Year from the Washington DC Economic Partnership, (middle right photo)
Rated “Top Commercial Lender” by the Washington Business Journal for 2008.
Contact: Remey Communications, Sandra Remey, (301) 929-3554 (office), (301) 467-9024 (cell)
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