Making a real difference since 1898.
For over a century, we have remained committed to helping the people and businesses of the West Shore community improve their financial well-being. As a local business, we employ over 100 people at nine full-service banking offices in Mason, Oceana, Manistee, Benzie and Grand Traverse counties. All of our employees live and work here, raise their families here, and volunteer here to help strengthen our community.
An Interesting Start
State Savings Bank of Scottville was founded in Scottville, MI on June 30, 1898. The first Board of Directors meeting was held in Detroit on July 25, 1898. The Directors were C.W. McPhail, President, M.L. Willliams, C.A. McPhail, H. G. Flint and M.A. Flint. The Bank first occupied a one-story brick building on the west side of Main Street. C.W. McPhail was the first President of the Bank. Total resources were $17,000.
Our Goal of “Making A Real Difference”
West Shore Bank stands by the statement of “Making a real difference.” But what does this really mean and look like? How can a bank make a difference? As an institution, it can’t — but as a group of committed people working together, it can. Each year, as a team we set plans, initiatives and training programs around this promise to ensure that we stay focused on achieving our vision of improving the financial well-being of the West Shore community through the banking services we provide.
What our goal means for you:
We help you make business happen.
We work with many individuals who are looking to start, expand or sustain a business but aren’t sure how their financing will come together. While many banks treat all business lending requests as a simple loan denial or approval, West Shore Bank’s local management team works alongside local business owners, evaluating all aspects of their financial situation to help find smart ways to finance local business growth.
We provide expert financial education for families, schools and businesses in our community.
West Shore Bank offers community seminars on relevant financial topics, such as retirement planning, saving for college, and managing employee retirement plans, as well as individual consultations on personal debt reduction, business cash flow management and business financing.
The Bank also provides education to high school and middle school students through sponsored programs. Contact West Shore Bank to learn more.
We give you timely answers and advice in a personable way.
When you have a banking need or question, you can stop by any West Shore Bank location or call us directly to personally speak with one of our professionals. As a community bank, we are able to give our representatives more authority to make local decisions and, when they need to seek help, our management team is right nearby.
We support local organizations with volunteer time and money.
All of our employees are encouraged to be involved in local charities and economic support groups that serve the west shore region. In 2019, West Shore Bank provided over $219,000 in donations and thousands of staff volunteer hours, impacting over 200 organizations in the west shore area.
We strengthen the local economy by maintaining our status as a financially sound and independent community bank.
In June 2011, West Shore Bank was announced as one of the top 200 community banks nationwide as determined by U.S. Banker magazine. A national banking publication, U.S. Banker reports the annual performance ranking of the top 200 publicly traded community banks based on a three-year average return on equity.