RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF DISASTER Perhaps one of the clearest examples of Centera Bank’s commitment to its communities came in 2007, when a tornado destroyed Greensburg, Kansas. The devastation was total, wiping out homes, businesses, and infrastructure. For some institutions, the easiest choice would have been to close operations and relocate, but Centera Bank made a different decision. “We rebuilt our bank building and participated in the green energy initiative that the town went through,” Cearley recalls. The bank’s reinvestment was significant, especially given that Greensburg’s population was cut nearly in half after the tornado. For Centera Bank, rebuilding meant standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the community and betting on its future.Today, that investment is paying off as the community has gradually rebuilt and stabilized. “It took a long time, but we’re beginning to see the fruits of that investment,” Cearley says. FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND AG CREDIT Centera Bank’s lending philosophy is focused on creating structures that support long-term viability. Rather than offering cookie-cutter solutions, the bank works closely with each customer to design a loan that fits their specific needs. “We believe strongly in proper loan structure here for small business, ag credit, anything, real estate loans, any of our products,” says Cearley. “We take the individual credit application or relationship and work with the customer to establish a proper loan structure that makes their business viable long-term.” This flexibility allows the bank to adapt to the unique circumstances of each client, ensuring that they are not just funded but supported with a plan that aligns with their goals. NAVIGATING ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY The past few years have brought significant economic 121 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 10 CENTERA BANK
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