Long before the days of government bailouts, Independence Bank sought to create a banking revolution. Shortly after appointing the Bank’s current CEO in 1991, Independence Bank arrived at a flashpoint in this mission. It was a time when financial multinationals marched through communities annexing smaller banks. Centralized, “big bank” practices became the norm, and what may have been good for those at the top often became oppressive for the everyday customer. But this was not the case at our family-owned, community institution.