Willamette Valley Bank’s Albany branch hosted a spirited Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Greeters event on Halloween, creating a perfect setting for the bank to connect with local business leaders and celebrate their strong community ties. The event highlighted the bank’s deep-rooted commitment to local banking, summed up in their tagline, “Where Local Means Everything.”

Branch Manager Crystal Tyndall opened the event, welcoming everyone with heartfelt appreciation. “Thank you so much for coming out to join us today and dressing up,” she said, expressing gratitude for the community’s support. As Crystal introduced her team, she emphasized how each member’s role contributes to a unique banking experience built on local relationships and personalized service.

Willamette Valley Bank Hosts Greeters — Photo Credit: Crystal Tyndall

Local Decision-Making and Personalized Service

A central theme of the event was Willamette Valley Bank’s dedication to personalized service and local decision-making. “So when you walk in…we say hello, but we kind of greet you by name. We welcome you, and you’re part of our family,” Crystal explained. She described how customers feel the difference when they bank with Willamette Valley, knowing they’re more than just a number. “It’s like Cheers, where everybody knows your name,” she added, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Crystal also emphasized the advantage of local decision-making, a rarity among larger banks. “Some of you may or may not know, when you do bank with big corporate banks, [decisions have] to go back East. It could take days, weeks, months,” she said. Instead, she explained that Willamette Valley Bank’s decisions are made right in Salem, and “within a day or two, maybe we could get answers for you.” Commercial Lender Kaden Dugger shared that, when he needs to consult on a loan, “I just go up one floor and I start knocking on [Ryan’s] office.” This flexibility makes a big difference for clients who appreciate a personal, timely approach to financial needs.

Investing in Community Growth

Willamette Valley Bank is just as invested in the local community as it is in its customers. “For us, community isn’t just a place—it’s who we are,” Crystal said, discussing the bank’s efforts to support local organizations. From food and pajama drives to partnerships with nonprofits like FISH, the bank is always looking for ways to give back. “Anything we can do to be in our community and give back, that’s what our main focus is,” she explained.

To support nonprofit organizations, Willamette Valley Bank offers a Community Impact Checking account, which provides a 3% interest rate. “The interest that [a nonprofit] earned in [its] account is enough to match her employees’ 401(k),” Crystal shared, mentioning how the bank’s interest rate benefits nonprofits. Michelle, a representative from a local nonprofit, also praised the impact of the account, saying, “Because of Willamette Valley Bank, we now have…a 401(k) match to our employees…The interest we get is the amount we needed to match.”

A Milestone Celebration: 24 Years of Local Success

The event took place on Halloween, a day that also marked the bank’s 24th anniversary. Ryan Dempster, CEO of Willamette Valley Bank, reflected on their journey since first opening their doors in 2000. “Obviously, the last 24 years has been a really interesting time. We’ve dealt with the dot-com bubble, 9/11, COVID, the Great Recession…It’s the partnerships that we’ve developed with other small businesses that have really sustained us over that period of time,” he said, expressing gratitude for the resilience and partnerships that have allowed the bank to thrive.

A Team Built on Dedication and Leadership

A heartfelt moment of the event came at the end when Relationship Banker Marcus Santoyo shared his personal experience working under Crystal’s leadership. “I started off at a convenience store…she just saw something in me, and it’s been great ever since,” he said. Marcus described Crystal’s commitment to her clients and team, recounting how he’s seen her “drive to offices,” “stay late nights,” and insist that others go home so she can take care of “one last client.” His testimonial underscored Crystal’s dedication to her staff and her role as a mentor, a sentiment echoed by others who praised her ongoing efforts to support local businesses and nonprofits.

A Future of Community-Centered Banking

As the event concluded, Willamette Valley Bank’s commitment to local impact and service left a strong impression on everyone. The dedication displayed by Crystal and her team embodies the bank’s mission to be more than just a financial institution. “We need each other to strive and thrive in this community,” Crystal said, reinforcing the mutual support that makes Willamette Valley Bank a cornerstone of Albany.

With every loan, nonprofit sponsorship, and small business partnership, Willamette Valley Bank proves that “Where Local Means Everything” is more than a tagline—it’s a way of life.

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