Ed Avis

Ed Avis is a writer and editor based in Chicago and has written professionally for over 35 years. His primary areas of expertise are banking, small business, healthcare administration and the food industry. His work has appeared in Crain's Chicago Business, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Health Facilities Management and dozens of other publications.

Articles by Ed Avis

Devon Bank's Free Nonprofit Workshop Series Forges Connections

Since 2025, Devon Bank has empowered Chicago-area nonprofits through free expert-led workshops on grant writing, donor cultivation and board development.

Small-Dollar Loans: An Alternative to Payday Lenders

Could employer-sponsored small-dollar loans benefit your community bank? Explore the model, profit potential and regulatory considerations.

Grand Savings Bank's Blog Powers its Content Marketing

Grand Savings Bank uses its blog as a marketing tool to educate customers, spotlight employees and showcase the communities it serves.

How Penn Community Bank Tackles Food Insecurity

As food insecurity surged, Penn Community Bank went beyond a traditional food drive mobilizing employees, donations, and nonprofit partnerships to support neighbors across five Pennsylvania counties.

Community Banking & Healthcare in Illinois

See how Longview Capital Corporation partnered with Remote Area Medical to provide free medical, dental and vision care, transforming lives in Illinois communities.

The Best Community Banks to Work For 2025

Our 2025 Best Community Banks to Work For winners pride themselves on competitive benefits, fun and fulfilling cultures, and a belief in work-life balance. Hear from leaders and staff about how they do it—and check out Data Dive to see how all our respondents performed.

How Bridge Loans Can Bolster Your Mortgage Offerings

In a complex real estate environment, these community banks are providing bridge loans and other offerings to supplement their mortgage services.

West Shore Bank and Timberland Bank Offer Unique Avenues for Charitable Giving

West Shore Bank and Timberland Bank are fostering generosity by giving their customers unique avenues to support local charities.

Alpine Bank Racks Up Thousands of Volunteer Hours

Alpine Bank’s “24 in ’24” campaign inspired employees to dedicate thousands of hours to the causes they care about, boosting staff and customer satisfaction along the way.

How Community Banks Open Doors for Local Restaurants

Restaurants, just like community banks, are a part of every local economy. And community banks know the best way to support this higher-risk industry.

Amplifying Nashville's Booming Businesses

ICBA members are coming to Nashville, Tenn., from across the nation for ICBA LIVE, but there are plenty of community banks already in Music City.

Here Comes the Snow: Lending Support for Winter Businesses

Rain or shine, community banks are there to serve their communities. But how about snow? For some, the cold weather is more than welcome.

How Bigger Community Banks Maintain a Local Feel

It’s in the name—community banks are all about building community. So, when they expand into other markets, how do they continue to make the authentic connections they’re known for?

Community Banks Financing Lake Country

In lake regions across the U.S., vacation homes, boats and other watersports vehicles abound—all of which present an undeniable opportunity for community banks.

How New England banks are supporting the tourism industry

Welcome, leaf peepers! Now that autumn is here, it’s time to take a road trip and meet the community banks that call New England home, making an impact on their communities and helping local tourism survive and thrive, year-round.

Who made ICBA's 2021 list of Top Lenders?

Our top lenders of 2021 made the most of one of the toughest years in recent memory through personal connection, ingenuity and dedication to their communities.

How 4 community banks came through for customers

The past year has put community banks’ local missions to the test, and they came through with flying colors. In the spirit of Community Banking Month, here are stories from several community banks that helped customers and communities in need.

Holding true in tough times

When New York City was the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, Maspeth Federal Savings Bank responded with a community-focused campaign that helped save local businesses and improve the lives of essential workers.

Who made ICBA’s 2020 Top Lenders list?

Our top lenders’ exceptional performance last year has set them up for success even in a time of turmoil. Read on to meet the year’s most successful loan producers in the agriculture, commercial and consumer/mortgage categories.

Community Spirit: Dennis Frandsen

After a lengthy entrepreneurial career, Dennis Frandsen of Frandsen Bank & Trust is giving back by helping Minnesota students pay their tuition.

How Community Banks Teach Kids About Money and Boost Youth Financial Literacy

Discover how community banks build youth financial literacy through bank-school partnerships, Junior Achievement programs, financial education, Credit for Life Fairs, and youth banking programs.

Why Community Banks Renovate: 3 Branch Remodel Case Studies

Learn how three community banks navigated branch renovations to enhance customer experience, improve weather resilience, and drive local economic prosperity.

How CDFIs and MDIs Are Navigating Uncertainty

CDFIs and MDIs share how potential funding cuts and regulatory shifts could affect their ability to serve underserved communities, and why their mission matters more than ever.

Starion Bank Targets New Depositors Through Gig Economy Program

Starion Bank’s pioneering finance program for contract workers is designed to empower DoorDash drivers with seamless payments and exclusive rewards.

Establishing the Right Dynamic at Family-Owned Banks

Family-run community banks, like any family business, come with both strengths and challenges.

Who are ICBA's Top Lenders of 2024?

Whether it’s navigating tumultuous markets or providing employees with remote work options, flexibility is a key component in the success of this year’s ICBA top lenders.

Paycheck Protection Program's Impact Four Years On

Community banks went above and beyond to help customers and noncustomers alike during the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) four years ago, and they continue to reap the benefits of that service.

How these community banks support Native communities

Community banks with deep roots and pride in their Native American heritage are committed to providing financial assistance, housing aid, lending and educational outreach to underserved tribal communities across the United States.

Tailor-made community banking

These community banks tailor their products and services not just to their neighborhood demographics but to everyone’s needs, from bank accounts for gig economy workers to microloans for consumers. In short, they do what community banks do best.

Who were ICBA's Top Lenders of 2022?

Highlighted here are some of last year’s most successful loan producers in the areas of agriculture, commercial and consumer/mortgage lending.

Strategies for finding the diverse board members you need

Community banks need to plan for the future, and that can mean looking outside of familiar business circles for potential board members. Here are some strategies for finding diverse board members who can help your bank adapt to changing customer demands.