Why bank local? )
November 4, 2011
In This Edition...
  • Party Tonight!
  • Bank Transfer Day tomorrow!
  • Annual Meeting features Paul Saginaw
  • TLF Logo



    You may have heard about Bank Transfer Day that is happening around the county tomorrow. Below are details about how you can participate.

    Plus we have two events this month. One tonight, the other on the 15th. Read on for more information! We hope to see you at one or both!

    ~ Ingrid Ault, Executive Director


    Party Tonight!
    Abracadabra Jewelry / Gem Gallery

    Come join us at Abracadabra Jewelry/Gem Gallery for some pre-holiday cheer! Owners Katherine and Steven Lesse invite you to stop in on Friday November 4th to enjoy locally sourced food and beverages.

    Stop by between 6 and 9 p.m. to share in this joint TLF member appreciation and Abracadabra customer appreciation party.

    As always, please let us know that you are coming. We want to be sure to have enough for everyone. Here is the link to sign up! This event is free for everyone, but only if you let us know you are coming!

    Abracadabra is located at 205 E. Liberty (across from the federal building) in Ann Arbor. We hope to see you there!

    Bank Transfer Day tomorrow!
    Bank Local

    You may have heard that tomorrow, November 5 is Bank Transfer Day, an initiative to move dollars from large national banks to smaller, locally-based financial institutions. Below are a few key reasons why you may want to do this if you haven't already done so:

    • You will have put your money to work growing our local economy. Small businesses depend heavily on local banks and credit unions for financing. Although small business makes up 57% of the assets of large banks, these banks don't show the same loyalty back to their small business customers. Their lending back to small businesses is only 28% of their lending. Compare that to the 34% of small banks and credit unions.
    • You are backing an institution that shares a commitment to your community. When the decision makers live in the community, they are more likely to approve loans that larger banks may reject. When smaller, local banks commit to investing in local businesses, jobs are created, revenue is generated, and the local economy is healthier.
    • You are supporting productive investment, not gambling. Small banks and credit unions will turn your deposit into small business loans and other investments in the community, rather than gambling it away on Wall Street.
    • Local banks generally charge lower fees. Not only do you get the pleasure of banking with someone who lives in your neighborhood, with a small banks or credit unions, you actually pay less in fees than you would with larger banks. Now that makes good cents.

    Still not convinced? Then you might want to view this fun short video that tells more! Click this link to see the video.

    We hope you'll consider making the change now!

    Annual Meeting features Paul Saginaw
    Zingerman's Events sign

    Save this date! At our annual meeting on Tuesday November 15th we will have three guest speakers focusing on what is happening in Michigan at the local movement, what is happening at BALLE, and marketing your business. No matter what you do, you will find this informative!

    Paul Sagniaw, co-owner of Zingerman's and a BALLE board member will inspire us with an update of what is happening in the local movement right here in Michigan. Plus, The Whole Brain Group will share how social marketing can help your business. Finally, we will have re:group discuss how to brand your business identity. There will plenty of time for questions, so be sure to put this on your calendar.

    The meeting will be held at Zingerman's Events on Fourth in the former location of Eve at 415 N. Fourth Ave. in Kerrytown Ann Arbor. Our doors open at 6 p.m. with the program beginning at 6:30 p.m. Stop by for a plethora of food and beverages from Think Local First members. The evening is free for members and $10 (payable by cash or check) at the door. Please pre-register so that we may prepare appropriately at this link.

    We expect this event to sell out, so if you want to come, you need to sign up here!

    Quick Links for Think Local First