This holiday season, Iowa State Bank and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are urging consumers to keep their spending local by shopping with community-owned businesses this holiday season. Supporting local businesses can make a big difference: $68 out of every $100 spent locally returns to the community, versus only $14 at national chains, boosting job growth, charitable giving and overall community well-being.

Community banks support their community's economic engines -- small businesses -- and encourage consumers to reinvest in their local communities by dining, shopping and even banking locally not only during the holidays, but year-round. Strong local businesses result in additional growth, resilience and prosperity of our local communities.

Local businesses are essential to the economy, accounting for 62% of employment growth over the last 25 years. Community banks continue to be the primary lender to small business, facilitating growth and expansion while funding over 60 percent of all small business loans under $1 million. Community banks serve as the only banking presence in nearly one-third of all counties across the United States.

This message is provided as a courtesy by Iowa State Bank in partnership with the Independent Community Bankers of America.