How NCF Savings Bank is supporting Springfield’s growth

NCF Savings Bank is defined by its community banking model and its investments in the county. The institution has built its reputation on personalized service, local decision-making, and a steadfast commitment to serving local people and organizations. As of September 2025, NCF had roughly $310 million in assets, reflecting steady growth and a strong financial foundation.

For context, community banks focus on providing traditional banking services in their local communities, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). They obtain most of their core deposits locally and make many of their loans to local businesses. For this reason, they are often considered to be “relationship” bankers as opposed to “transactional” bankers. Because of this dynamic, community banks tend to base credit decisions on local knowledge and nonstandard data gathered over time.

“We focus solely on Clark County,” says Grace Hatem, executive coordinator at NCF Savings Bank. “When our customers, whether business or personal, make deposits here, we use those deposits to provide loans to small businesses within the community. It’s all about keeping everything local.”

This hyper-local approach is what sets NCF apart from larger, corporate banks. Customers often remark on the personal touch they experience when visiting a branch. According to Hatem, this level of service is by design and a point of pride. 

“Our tellers know most customers by name and often anticipate their needs before they even ask,” she says. “That personal connection is what keeps people coming back and recommending us to others.”

NCF’s commitment to bolstering the county’s economic stature extends beyond banking services. The bank recently celebrated the achievements of three team members who pursued professional development programs at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Colorado, respectively. Jason Bucey, Jamie Fletcher, and Kaylee Houseman recently completed advanced banking education that will help them better serve the bank and the local community. In August, Senior Vice President of Business Development Jason Bucey graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned his diploma, along with a Certification in Executive Leadership. In July, COO Jamie Fletcher graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado and received her diploma, along with a Committed to Lead Micro-Credential. Chief Financial Officer Kaylee Houseman also completed the three-year program at the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado in July.

These programs, which combine classroom learning with real-world projects, have equipped graduates with advanced leadership and strategic skills.

“Professional development is a huge part of what we do at NCF,” says Hatem. “We believe that when our staff continues learning and growing, the entire organization benefits. It’s also how we stay competitive with larger banks.”

NCF’s investment in education isn’t limited to its staff. Bank leadership has prioritized support of the Global STEM Academy (GISA), the first STEM school of its kind in the nation. GISA focuses on career-readiness and preparing students for jobs in bioscience fields, like food and agriculture, environmental studies, healthcare, and energy. The $16 million 30,000-square-foot facility for grades 10-12 includes advanced classrooms, labs, and a greenhouse. NCF helped make this possible with a $1.75 million loan, supporting GISA’s mission to expand STEM education and giving students unique access to college resources.

“It’s one of our proudest projects,” Hatem says. “We’ve been working on it for years, and it’s incredible to see the impact it’s having on local students.”

Speaking of impact, NCF is dedicated to helping the community’s network of small businesses thrive. One of the key advantages of banking with NCF is the speed and flexibility of its lending process. Loan and credit decisions are made locally, which allows the bank to provide personalized service and make decisions quickly, Hatem says.

NCF staff are just as intentional in their approach to hiring and staff development. Many employees, including Hatem herself, have found opportunities to grow and thrive within the bank. 

“When I started, I had no banking experience,” she says. “I was hired as a teller, but when the bank learned about my background in graphic design and advertising, they created a role for me in marketing. That’s the kind of place NCF is — they see potential and help you turn it into a career.”

This culture of care extends to the bank’s leadership. President Brian Smith is deeply involved in the community, coaching local sports teams and attending events to build connections. In her words, “he’s always out there, representing the bank and making a difference.”

Hatem says this people-first mindset starts at the top and filters down into every interaction. 

“That’s what we stand for — supporting our community.”