Those words by then-President and co-founder Robert R. Thomas in 1970  are more true today than ever before.  Citizens State Bank  was organized to serve the working people of the Sequatchie Valley at a time when out-of-town bank ownership was just beginning to be common.  The number of banks with no direct connection to the area has multiplied, and today Citizens State Bank is the only locally owned, locally managed bank in the community.  The organizers felt the valley needed a bank completely dependent on the economic health of  this valley,  where money deposited at home could be loaned at home, putting the average wage earner  and small business on the same basis as a large corporation.  Today as we move into a new century, CSB is still dedicated to this mandate and is proud  to be a strong, local asset to the citizens of the Sequatchie Valley area, truly A Real Community Bank.     

Citizens State Bank takes its role in the community seriously, particularly in the area of education.  CSB created the H.O.P.E. (Helping Our Partners in Education) program to meet the financial needs of the educators of Marion and Grundy Counties.  It includes direct deposit  checking and savings accounts, exclusive loans over the phone, and add-on CDs.  CSB has also established the Education Excellence Fund, which has put thousands of badly needed dollars into our community's classrooms.

CSB's Citizens Park Stage at the National Cornbread Festival.	CSB gave away pompoms and peanuts at the Marion County - South Pittsburg football game
The CSB team at the Marion County Fair's Demolition Derby
CSB's Christmas parade float was a First Place Winner	The CSB team welcomed visitors to the Mountaineer's Day Festival in Tracy City.
CSB employees at the Relay For Life	Marion County Youth Leadership  visiting CSB to learn more about banking.
CSB's Board of Directors continue the mission to support the Education Excellence Fund which provides grants to teachers to help purchase needed classroom supplies and equipment.