2024 Letter from the CEO
12/19/2024
By: CNB
Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Forward to 2025
As we close the chapter on 2024, all of us at Citizens National Bank reflect with pride on a year of growth, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the legacy established by our founders 124 years ago. Guided by the same core values that have shaped us since the beginning, we remain dedicated to serving our clients and communities with purpose and integrity. These values are the foundation of everything we do:
- Integrity
- Commitment
- Family
- Client Service
- Responsibility
- Community
This past year, we continued to deliver on our promise to put clients first by introducing a full suite of Advantage Plus products, extending the benefits of our popular Advantage Plus checking account to meet the needs of both personal and business banking clients.
Our lending team worked diligently to help businesses grow and individuals achieve their dreams, originating millions of dollars in loans. Meanwhile, we invested in technology to better serve our clients by initiating a project to upgrade all ATMs in our network to ITMs (Interactive Teller Machines). Once completed, this enhancement will expand service capabilities and provide even greater convenience to our clients.
Behind the scenes, our in-house contact center handled over 4,000 calls each month with exceptional care, ensuring every client interaction was met with efficiency and a friendly voice. Our dedicated fraud team also played a vital role in safeguarding client accounts, preventing thousands of dollars in potential losses through vigilant monitoring and proactive measures. Looking ahead, we are excited to further bolster these efforts with upgraded fraud detection technology to enhance our protection capabilities.
At CNB, our commitment to community goes beyond banking. In 2024, our team volunteered hundreds of hours across the regions we serve, demonstrating our deep-rooted dedication to giving back. We also celebrated growth within our organization, promoting 15 talented team members to new roles, further strengthening the future of CNB.
We are honored to be recognized by you, our clients, through over 70 five-star reviews this year—a testament to the trust and relationships we value so deeply.
As we look forward to 2025, we are energized by the opportunities ahead, including preparations to celebrate our 125th anniversary. This historic milestone offers us a moment to honor the relationships we’ve built and the trust you’ve placed in us over the years. It is a privilege to partner with you in safeguarding your assets, achieving your goals, and creating exceptional banking experiences.
The state and local economies we serve are poised to experience continued growth into the new year. We sense a renewed optimism and confidence from clients as interest rates drift lower and inflation, albeit stubbornly resistant, inches closer to the Fed’s target. As market confidence improves and investors consider new opportunities, our bank stands ready to assist.
On behalf of the directors, officers, and team at Citizens National Bank, thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and friendship. We wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Steven M. Wise
Chairman, CEO & President