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Westfield Bank News

In the 16th episode of the Sharing Knowledge Series, our host and chief lending officer, Kevin Vonderau, is joined by Jason Winkler, president, Summit Construction Company, LLC and Carlin Culbertson, CPA, vice president, Assurance Services Group at Meaden & Moore. Their discussion focuses on new construction, remodels, renovations, and the importance of staying ahead and being flexible in the face of supply chain issues.

Westfield Bank News

RIA Valuation

As a financial and investment advisor, your success comes from putting your clients first. But as you look to build and expand upon your success, it’s also important to understand the value of your firm.

Westfield Bank News

Getting ahead on your mortgage

Looking to get ahead on your mortgage? If you have a 15- or 30-year fixed rate loan on your home and can afford to make an extra payment, this can help you pay off your mortgage sooner and potentially lower the amount of interest you pay. Any extra amount that you can afford to pay each month can be applied to principal balance, therefore reducing the amount you’ll pay in interest over time.

Westfield Bank News

Building credit

No matter what stage of life you’re in, your use of credit is a key factor in your financial journey. Whether you’re looking to take out student or auto loans, purchase a new home, start a business, or make retirement plans, having good credit will go a long way.

Westfield Bank News

Consolidating your student loans

Many borrowers can attest that student loan payments make up one of the most burdensome portions of their monthly budget. If you have outstanding student loans, you may be looking for options to ease this burden.

SBA Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Preferred Lenders Program is designed to provide trusted banks with the tools needed to empower businesses in their community. Westfield Bank is proud to be an SBA Preferred Lender, which provides small business borrowers in the communities we serve access to funds and a streamlined loan application process.

Westfield Bank News

Leadership and employee development

What’s the connection between engaged and empowered employees and workplace culture? In our 15th Sharing Knowledge Series episode, host Kevin Vonderau, chief lending officer at Westfield Bank, is joined by guests Mike Toth, president & CEO of Westfield Bank, Mike Milby, CEO of Ratliff & Taylor, a talent management consultancy, and Beth Sweeney, president of Ratliff & Taylor to discuss the wide-ranging topic of workplace culture, leadership, and employee development.

Westfield Bank News

Refinancing your mortgage

Thinking about refinancing your home? Home buyers choose to refinance for several reasons, including to reduce their monthly mortgage payment or to pay off their mortgage faster. It’s critical to both understand the motivations for refinancing and how to best navigate the process.

Westfield Bank News

Restaurants and Agribusiness

How have the economic impacts of the covid-19 pandemic effected food service and agribusiness? In our 14th Sharing Knowledge Series episode, host Kevin Vonderau, chief lending officer at Westfield Bank, is joined by guests Kristyn Henslee, owner of Yellow House Cheese in Seville, and Douglas Katz, chef and owner of Cleveland restaurants including Zhug, Chimi and Amba.

Westfield Bank News

Financing your dream home

Navigating the housing market and financing a new or existing home is a complicated process. Many home buyers are familiar with the typical mortgage loans that banks offer to purchase an already existing home.

Westfield Bank News

Building on your successful year

Coming off a year of hard work and success, we hope that your agency has been rewarded with a well-deserved profit-sharing check. With this check in hand, consider investing these earnings to make the money work for you.

Westfield Bank News

Fixed vs. variable – what home buyers need to know

If you’re in the market for a new home, you have options to consider for financing your mortgage. Borrowers should know the differences between two main types of home loans – fixed rate and variable rate loans.

Westfield Bank News

Residential Real Estate

The current housing market presents a range of challenges, opportunities, and uncertainty. Changing interest rates, the shift in the definition of home, and a competitive environment are just a couple of the factors making the housing market in 2022 unique. What do individuals looking to buy, sell, or build a home need to know about the current market?

Westfield Bank News

Building credit

Credit is an important tool for anyone looking to manage their finances. Having a good credit score can help you qualify for loans or a credit card. But if good credit habits aren’t followed, you can quickly find yourself with a considerable amount of debt racked up.

Fraud and Protection

Westfield Bank News

Optimizing Your Business

Automation and artificial intelligence (A.I.) can provide your business the opportunity to improve the efficiency of processes and ultimately better customer experiences when interacting with your product or service. It’s important to stay ahead of the “digital curve” to meet the increasing demands of customers.

Westfield Bank News

Predatory lending – what you need to know to protect yourself

The threat of predatory lending is very common. That’s why we’re here to explain what predatory lending is, how to identify it, and ways you can avoid falling victim to a predatory lender.

Westfield Bank News

Keep your agency ahead with treasury management

Previously, we touched on how vital it is to understand your agency’s worth through the valuation process. Top line revenue for an agency is the fuel for the growth engine, but successfully managing your liquidity and cash flow is the oil that keeps everything running smoothly.

Westfield Bank News

Commercial Real Estate Investments and Development

The COVID-19 pandemic created both hesitancy and new opportunities for the commercial real estate market. The shift to full or part-time remote work is generating office space uncertainty amongst employers, but repurposing opportunities for investors. What are the current commercial real estate investment considerations and what does the future look like for the industry?

Westfield Bank News

Domestic and international wire transfers

With online and mobile banking solutions, there seems to be endless opportunities to transfer funds - for personal transactions to friends or family members, or business transactions to vendors or partners - each with its own advantages.

Westfield Bank News

How can investment advisors build their customer’s confidence

The last two years have been challenging for everyone. The pandemic has dramatically changed our lives and affected everything from supply chains to the economy to the health of people across the globe.

Westfield Bank News

How to make your life easier with digital banking

Meeting the demands of everyday life, from meetings to grocery shopping to pick-ups and drop-offs, can be overwhelming. We all want to simplify our lives, so we can spend more of our time doing the things we want to do, versus what we have to do. Less work, and more time for living.

Westfield Bank News

Navigating the Year Ahead

The fiscal landscape of 2021 was full of uncertainties, opportunities, and challenges at times. The global impact of COVID-19 left many wondering how to navigate the economic waters in its wake. As we enter 2022, what market trends can we expect to see?

Westfield Bank News

What is a bull and bear market?

A lens to analyze, understand, and predict potential outcomes of the financial market is defined by two perspectives: a bull or bear market.

Westfield Bank News

Understanding Cyber Insurance

What do you need to understand about cyber insurance when it comes to protecting your customers, clients, and business against cyber and ransomware attacks?

Westfield Bank News

Westfield Bank Announces Appointment of New President & CEO

Michael Toth will lead the financial institution as president & chief executive officer

Westfield Bank News

Banking 101: What is interest?

Borrowing money can be a great way to make a purchase, build credit, or pay off existing loans, but it’s important to know the details about the interest before you commit to any loan. Learn more about interest and how it can impact you.

Westfield Bank News

5 Stages of Business Longevity: Exit strategies

Your business has been a priority – and a passion – for you throughout your entrepreneurial journey. Today we examine the final stage of business longevity: having an exit strategy that fulfills your operational and financial needs.

Westfield Bank News

5 Stages of Business Longevity: Expansion

Your business has achieved goals set in the early days of its existence. Now, it’s time to consider new goals and devise a plan to reach them. In our Business Longevity series, we examine strategies you can use to remove growth obstacles from your path. Next up: Business Expansion.

Westfield Bank News

Banking for Children

It’s never too late to start good habits, but getting a head start on a healthy habit can make a huge impact on a child’s future. Opening an account for your child can serve as a fantastic aid for teaching them about the responsibilities of money management.

Westfield Bank News

Charitable giving in 3 easy steps

As we embark on the new year, creating a donation plan can serve as a great way to give back to your community. Additionally, as we enter tax season, there are financial benefits to charitable giving that you should be aware of.

Westfield Bank News

Taxes and Perpetuation Strategies

At the moment there is a lot of talk about how possible changes to the capital gains tax rates could affect businesses, individuals, and the future of their agency. While the exact details are still unclear, it’s always a good idea to be aware of all of the information available to make the best decision for your business.

Westfield Bank News

Business Longevity: Plan for Growth

Even if you’ve heard the term “growing pains” before, every business owner knows the stress that can come from not being prepared to enter the next phase of growth. But what are your options? In our Business Longevity series we examine strategies you can use to remove obstacle to growth from your path.

Westfield Bank News

3 Strategies for Maximizing Retirement Savings - and Enjoyment

Our customers often come to us with one long-term goal in mind: retirement. And while starting to save early is often the overwhelming advice offered most, it isn’t always the reality of what was possible for those early in their career (or it’s well in the rearview mirror of where customers find themselves).

Westfield Bank News

Westfield Bank CEO and Founder Jon Park Announces Retirement

Chairman and CEO Jon Park, who opened the doors to Westfield Bank as “employee number one” and spent the next two decades building a financial institution with total assets of $2.0 billion, will retire on March 1, 2023.

Westfield Bank News

5 Stages of Business Longevity - Financial roadmap

When it comes to achieving set goals, you need an action plan as unique as your business. A financial roadmap is an in-depth business tool designed to help you determine your financial objectives and track your progress. It also serves as a guide to help you create a plan to achieve these goals.

Westfield Bank News

What is the FDIC?

You may hear or see the phrase “Member FDIC” when banking with Westfield Bank – but what does FDIC mean? The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an essential part of our financial system; however you might not know its history and the role it plays in ensuring financial security.

Westfield Bank News

What is an ABA number?

A key component of everyday banking transactions is your ABA or routing number. Whether you are paying a bill online or setting up direct deposit, it’s helpful to know how to access this number.

Westfield Bank News

M&A vs. organic growth: what is best for your insurance agency?

When it comes to expanding your agency, there are two paths to follow – organic growth or mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Both have the power to move your agency to the next level, but which approach is right for your business? Often a mix of both is appropriate. To determine if organic growth or M&A is best, you must assess your goals, priorities, and capacity.

Westfield Bank News

How to Deposit a Check

At Westfield Bank, we’re all about options. Mainly, the options that allow you to spend more time doing what you love to do – all while taking care of your financial To Do list in the simplest way possible.

Westfield Bank News

5 Stages of Business Longevity: Raising funds

Using your own money is not your only option when financing your new business. There are several ways to secure funding, from traditional business loans to more modern, communal approaches like crowdfunding and incubator programs.

Westfield Bank News

Buying your first car

Buying your first car is an exciting moment, but if this is your first time at a dealership, you may struggle navigating the purchasing and financing processes. Westfield Bank is here to help by providing information on how to buy your first car and drive forward.

Westfield Bank News

Paying for college isn't impossible

Furthering your education is an investment, but student loans aren’t your only option when paying for college. From scholarships to loan forgiveness, we have the information you need. Read the full article to learn how to finance your education.

Westfield Bank News

Talent and Technology

Nothing drives a company forward more than access to tools and top-tier talent. The success of your business depends upon the tools and support available to your team, so here are some tips on investing in your team and technology to accelerate growth.

Westfield Bank News

How to choose the right bank for you

Selecting the right bank can provide a valued partnership beyond simply managing your finances. You should expect more from a relationship with your bank. On the surface, this means finding a bank that looks out for your personal interests, like security and growth. However, a personal relationship with a banking partner should create mutual value.

Westfield Bank News

Agency financing: tips for success

Agency financing can provide you with capital to start or expand your business. Acquiring this financing requires a lot of forethought and planning, however Westfield Bank is here to make the process smooth and successful. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your meeting with your lender.

Westfield Bank News

How much should I have in savings?

The COVID-19 pandemic taught us the importance of building your savings. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the total value of personal savings in the U.S. reached over $2.3 trillion last year.

Westfield Bank News

Financial lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we think about personal finance. From everyday spending to saving for retirement, our relationship with money looks very different from how it was at the beginning of 2020. The world may be reopening, but there are some smart financial habits from the pandemic to carry into 2021 and beyond.

Westfield Bank News

4 Tips to Authentic Networking

Whether you hope to expand your professional or personal network,
being genuine and authentic is essential. These five steps will help
guide you as you meet new people, digitally or in-person.

Westfield Bank News

What's your insurance agency worth?

Understanding the value of your insurance agency is vital when planning for succession. Whether you are considering perpetuating internally or selling to a third party, , you should understand the value of your agency to help you make the best decision.

Westfield Bank News

Creating a budget: where to start

On a budget: Finding ways to streamline spending, saving, & giving.

Business Security

Beware of New Scams Circulating

Two new scams involving Amazon and Apple are currently circulating. Following are details regarding these new scams and how to avoid falling victim to them and prevent fraudulent activity to your accounts.

Westfield Bank News

How do I increase my credit score? Six tips to raise your credit

While a good credit score can make it easier to qualify for loans or credit cards – ultimately saving you money – bad credit can limit your opportunities. This is why it’s important to maintain a good credit score and follow tips to increase your credit score when possible.

Westfield Bank News

How to consolidate your business's debt

Whether you’ve just launched your new business, are a few years into the journey, or have a well-established and mature business, cash flow isn’t always a constant. As a business owner, you’re familiar with the unexpected costs that arise within your company.

Westfield Bank News

Are digital wallets safe?

Over the last year, digital banking solutions continued to rise in popularity among consumers. These services are designed to move with you, allowing you to bank directly from your home, office, or on-the-go. The power to check your account balances and transactions in real-time, pay bills instantly, transfer funds, and update account information from anywhere are just the beginning of the benefits available to you.

Westfield Bank News

Premium financing: Cover the costs of your clients' commercial insurance premiums

Like many insurance agencies, you have clients that may require greater flexibility when it comes to paying their commercial insurance premiums. Premium financing is an attractive option for insureds and your agency, providing greater cash flow control and liquidity to both parties.

Westfield Bank News

How to teach your children to spend, save, and share

As a parent, you’re always looking for new opportunities to teach your children lasting, life-long lessons. A proud moment in every parent’s life is teaching your children about financial responsibility. Whether you’ve started giving your children an allowance or they’ve earned some extra money from helping with chores in your neighborhood, it’s never too early or too late to start teaching them valuable financial lessons.

Westfield Bank News

Leveraging Equipment Loans

The last year has been one of economic uncertainty – and no matter how your profit and loss (P&L) spreadsheet is looking, there is always room for smarter strategies to increase the viability of your business.

Westfield Bank News

Banking inspired by insurance heritage

At Westfield Bank, we are true experts in insurance agency financing – and we should be. As an affiliate of Westfield Insurance, founded over 170 years ago, our solutions have reflected the unique needs of agencies from day one. We know and understand your business, from top to bottom.

Westfield Bank News

Tips for first-time home buyers

While buying your first home is among life’s most exciting moments, it can also be overwhelming. Whether you choose city living or that perfect country retreat, having the right guidance through the process can mean avoiding key financial missteps and, instead, taking advantage of competitive financing options.

Westfield Bank News

Commercial construction loans: Building your business from the ground up

Your business is growing, and with it, your facility needs. Maybe your production space or staff is expanding beyond your current building’s capacity. Or perhaps your rented space is no longer suited for your future goals.

Westfield Bank News

How to budget after graduation

Whether you’ve recently completed an associate, undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degree, it’s time to take on new challenges and discover the path before you. To make this transition successfully, it’s important to create a monthly budget, which can empower your own financial freedom as you explore and begin your professional career.

Westfield Bank News

3 tips for a successful acquisition

Growing your agency through an acquisition can be an exciting time. It can also present some challenges.

Westfield Bank News

Build on your investment with a HELOC

Is it time to remodel your home, pay for college, or even purchase a new car? A home equity line of credit (HELOC) can help you take life’s next step with flexible access to the funds you need.

Westfield Bank News

How can you get most value from your bank

As a business owner, you should expect more from a relationship with your banking partner. On the surface, this means finding a bank that looks out for your financial interests so you can focus on your operations

Westfield Bank News

How to budget for a summer road trip

During these challenging times, summer vacations may look a little different. Why not try a safer alternative, like a summer road trip?

Case Study

Your partner throughout prosperity and uncertainty

As the coronavirus pandemic developed in 2020, many small businesses across the country were impacted negatively, suffering loses that resulted in furloughs, layoffs, and closures.

Case Study

Partnering with expertise: A smooth acquisition

In 2016, United Group Alliance, an alliance of local independent partners taking advantage of significant income opportunities and market stability, wanted to make a strategic business acquisition that would add value to their current offerings and expand its entities.

Case Study

Refinancing for the future

As insurance agencies decide to utilize mergers and acquisitions to consolidate companies or assets, stimulate growth, gain competitive advantages, and increase market share, they typically take on loans for working capital.

Case Study

Restructuring for the future

Currently, about 41 percent of U.S. companies are owned by baby boomers who are looking to retire in the coming years and it’s expected that in the next two decades, seven out of ten businesses will transfer ownership. In the insurance industry, mergers are an ongoing process for agencies, requiring a steady foundation to act on opportunity.

Case Study

Understanding your vision

Nearly a decade ago, Curt Kassigkeit incepted BrightCovers, a Northeast Ohio company that specializes in the design, manufacturing, and installation of porch roofs, canopies, patio and deck covers, and custom canopies for residential and commercial applications.

Case Study

Experience a bank that advocates for you

Nivine turned to Westfield Bank when it was time to refinance her home loan for a Private Banking experience that supported her unique needs with exclusive services and personalized financial guidance.

Westfield Bank News

Financing for your agency's future

Throughout your agency’s journey, there may be times where you need to obtain a loan, increase your book of business, purchase a new agency, or set up perpetuation planning. When that time comes, having the right plan to achieve new milestones and a financing partner with industry expertise can help promote your agency’s growth and success.

Westfield Bank News

How can you increase your tax return?

Tax season is upon us. It’s the time where individuals and businesses prepare and file their annual income taxes. Claiming tax deductions can help ensure that more money stays in your wallet, lowering your owed taxes and even increasing your tax return.

Westfield Bank News

What is an IRA?

It’s never too early or too late to begin planning for retirement. With the right financial guidance, you can achieve your long-term savings goal.

Westfield Bank News

How Can You Protect Your Company From Wire Fraud

Wire transfers empower your business to send funds globally in real-time between financial institutions. However, as the use of wire transfers has grown in popularity, so has wire fraud.

Westfield Bank News

Advancing your legacy

Networking is not only key for personal growth, but important for your agency’s development. It’s an investment in people, which cannot be reflected in balance sheets, but it is often one of the most valuable assets for a growing agency and one that can be significantly improved by your bank.

Westfield Bank News

10 tips to empower safer online banking

Digital banking solutions mean the freedom to experience faster service and access to your accounts wherever and whenever you want. During these times, these solutions are becoming even more critical for day-to-day financial management.

An asset to your agency

Westfield Bank News

What you should know before you go to the dealership

Having the right banking partnership in place can provide significant advantages and empower your next car purchase.

Disaster recovery: Your roadmap to business continuity amidst crisis

2020 has been filled with unforeseen events and circumstances. If we’ve learned anything, we know that strategic and adaptable planning is the key to overcoming adversities of all sizes.

Westfield Bank News

Succession planning: Preparing your agency for the journey ahead

Currently, over forty percent of U.S. businesses are Baby-Boomer owned companies who are looking to retire in the coming years. As such, it’s expected that in the next two decades, seven out of ten businesses will transfer ownership.

Westfield Bank News

5 mobile and online banking solutions to bank whenever and wherever you want

Online and mobile banking means the freedom to experience faster service. Discover five ways we empower you with the ability to securely manage your money 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from your internet-connected device or phone.

Westfield Bank News

2021 Economic outlook: The path forward

What’s in store for the economy in 2021? We interviewed our founder, chairman, and CEO, Jon Park, with Brian Toma CFP®, AIF®, at Freeman Heyne Toma Financial Advisors, to find out what key indicators businesses should expect from the economy in the coming year.

Financial Education

Succession Planning: Preparing Your Business For The Journey Ahead

Forging your company’s path forward and ensuring your company’s future is secure begins with successful succession planning.

Business Security

Benefits of CDARS/ICS During an Economic Crisis

Learn about these products and why investing in them may be a good choice for businesses with large deposit balances.

Westfield Bank News

Three Named to Westfield Bank Board of Directors

Westfield Bank announces the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors.

Business Security

Fraud Prevention

Reduce the risk of becoming a fraud victim by implementing these prevention and detection tips.

Business Security

Positive Pay

Decrease the threat of check fraud and simplify account reconciliation with this helpful service.

Personal Security

Credit Reporting Disputes

Dispute inaccurate or incorrect information found on your credit report.

Personal and Business Security

Security and Account Alerts

Enjoy added protection and greater peace of mind by using account alerts.

Personal and Business Security

Debit Card Protection

Defend your debit cards against fraudulent activity by applying these simple, practical tips.

Personal and Business Security

EMV Cards

Gain a better understanding about how these cards protect you from security threats, and see how to use them.

Personal and Business Security

Security Resources

Use these educational tools to learn how to recover from a fraud attack, protect your personal identity, and more.

Westfield Bank News

Think before you help

Because of technology, companies have fewer face-to-face interactions with clients. When those opportunities arise, companies must make the most out of them.

Westfield Bank News

Partner for Success

What are the keys to business longevity? Our Executive Vice President and COO Matt Berthold offers his take.

Westfield Bank News

Matt Berthold promoted to Chief Operating Officer

Congratulations to Matt Berthold, who was recently promoted to Westfield Bank's Chief Operating Officer.

Westfield Bank News

Mike Toth promoted to President

Westfield Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Mike Toth to Westfield Bank President.

Westfield Bank News

Expect more from business banking

Learn more about our Business Banking team and what makes Westfield Bank different.

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Living, breathing ideals

Culture affects everything in a business - from recruitment and retention, to who does business with you. Our CEO Jon Park explains.

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Push Notifications

The My Westfield Bank app allows you to activate alerts to push your mobile device.

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Broad connections

Read our perspective on growth opportunities for area manufacturers.

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Westfield Bank names Scott Oboy as Chief Financial Officer

Westfield Bank announces the hiring of Scott Oboy to the position of Chief Financial Officer.

Westfield Bank News

Fingerprint Authentication: Log in faster and easier

With Fingerprint Authentication, logging into your My Westfield Bank app has never been easier.

Westfield Bank News

Setting the standard

A well-rounded client experience is crucial for a business to succeed. Click to learn more from Westfield Bank's Chief Experience Officer Mike Toth.

Westfield Bank News

A balanced approach

Click to read how your bank can help protect your financial future

Westfield Bank News

Find the right tools

Treasury management services are meant to help a business operate more efficiently. Click to find what works best for you.

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Never stop learning

Feeling entrepreneurial makes employees feel more engaged. Take the time to help you people learn about your business.

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Growth strategies

Don’t spend time, effort and money on opportunities that aren’t going to be profitable.

Westfield Bank News

Assess your future

When you become concerned about the relationship between your business and your bank, the worst thing you can do is ignore it. Click to access some helpful tips.

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Westfield Bank is here for you

Click to learn more about our extended hours.

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Focus on the experience

Technology can be daunting for some customers, so you need your employees to be informed. Learn how to empower your team and earn customer loyalty.

Westfield Bank News

Common Cents Summer 2016!

Click to read our Summer 2016 edition of Common Cents, Westfield Bank's seasonal customer newsletter.

Westfield Bank News

Change with care

Even in the 21st century, there is fear of automation. Be strategic about the steps you take and alleviate the fear.

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Seamless transition

When you take steps to engage your people about what they need to do their jobs, it has a carryover effect. This can make a big difference when relocating your business.

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Added security

Consumers have another tool in their arsenal to protect against fraud. Chip cards generate a unique, one-time code that is needed for each transaction to be approved. Learn more about how the new technology works.

Westfield Bank News

Ensure a smooth transition to automation

Even in the 21st century, there is fear of automation. Customers worry about losing the personal touch, employees worry about being replaced. Be strategic about the steps you take and alleviate the fear.

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What Makes Westfield Bank Different?

Explore the many reasons why Westfield Bank is ideal for small-to-medium sized companies and how we can support your business.

Westfield Bank News

Security under threat

Online banking has been widely adopted by businesses. While banks work hard to protect transactions, there are things businesses must do to keep those transactions totally safe.

Westfield Bank News

From 1 to 150

See how Westfield Bank grew from a double-wide trailer in a parking lot to a $1 billion institution.

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