Despite the choppy financial waters drowning the U.S. banking industry, the current has not greatly affected some local financial institutions. HarVest Bank of Maryland is actually expanding, opening a fourth branch in the next few weeks in Frederick, Maryland. In the past year, assets have nearly doubled to $205 million. When I recently talked with Jack Hollerbach, president and CEO of HarVest, about the crisis, he said, “The banking industry tends to trip over itself. A lot of banks create confusion in the marketplace.” This is not the case with HarVest Bank. Mr. Hollerbach added, “Investing in the community is good business. We know our community better…” This approach has enabled this stellar community bank to form solid relationships and maintain a mission that helps build the area, while avoiding risky investments plaguing national institutions. At HarVest Bank of Maryland, executives are actively involved in community service organizations and events, a reflection of the bank’s culture of knowing people and companies in the region beyond a mere balance sheet. “We know all the local leaders,” Mr. Hollerbach said.

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