Business View Magazine - Dec 2023

through a Banzai program.“If it’s a school in an area that we service, we 100% pay for that sponsorship,” she says. Currently, GCB sponsors nine schools through this program. Furthermore, GCB is actively involved in providing financial education in local schools. “Just last week, we had two teachers reach out from Terrell Academy, a private school in Dawson, asking if we would be willing to talk to their 10th, 11th, and 12th graders,” Breeden shares. This proactive approach to financial education reflects GCB’s commitment to empowering the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed financial decisions. ADAPTING TO THE TIMES WHILE PRESERVING CORE VALUES Over the past century, GCB has evolved to meet the changing needs of its communities while preserving the core values that have defined its operations since its inception in 1922. Beeleyreflectsonthebank’shistoryandcommitment to serving the community. “The foundations on which the bank was established are the same, it is to service our communities, and that will never change,” she says. “How we have done this over time has evolved with technology.” This evolution includes investing in technology to compete with larger banks and meet the expectations of younger generations. In addition to embracing technology, GCB strives to maintain a personal touch in its customer service. “When you need to talk to somebody, the last thing you want is to be limited to emailing someone or going through an automated phone service,” Beeley explains. “We pride ourselves on always picking up the phone and being proactive if we see a problem with a customer’s account.” This commitment to customer service, combined with efficient and thorough underwriting practices, sets GCB apart from larger banks. “We can do it efficiently and much more quickly than a larger bank can,” Beeley says. This efficiency extends to the bank’s flexibility in offering loans and other services, especially in rural communities where 222 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 12