The Bank of Belen

More than a decade ago, the idea of an alternative to the impersonal, often unpleasant world of modern banking formed in the minds of several Valencia County business people.

These community-minded citizens wanted to offer customers a comfortable, honest banking atmosphere. They wanted to support the local economy with a bank that would be hometown-owned-and-operated. And so came about the Bank of Belen.

Now in its 10th year of existence, the Bank of Belen has grown substantially — from one small bank to now five flourishing branches — serving customers all over the county and throughout the surrounding area. Branches now exist in Belen, Los Lunas, Rio Communities, Mountainair and Albuquerque.

The bank believes in personalized service for each individual customer. Bank President Ken Carson said, “We hold that philosophy true to our hearts.”

Employees are able to cater to the needs of customers by listening to them and building personal relationships.

“No two customers are alike,” he said, “and so we try to work with people to develop a product that they need, instead of making them fit into a product.”

Carson said this personalized type of banking is “especially important for small businesses, because they are all so unique.”

Every aspect of service at the Bank of Belen is given special care to make the banking experience comfortable and enjoyable. Whether it be customizing products for the individual, or simply being greeted with a smile, one can rest assured the Bank of Belen will go the extra mile.

Being community-based, the bank can also guarantee that business will always be conducted with neighbors right from your own community. “You’re not going to have to deal with some call center in California where it’s difficult to communicate,” Carson said.

The bank makes sure services to fit any need are offered, including no-fee checking, savings and money market accounts. An on-line banking service allows customers to bank from home. The site is completely secure to protect customers’ money, and practically any transaction can be made with just a click. The Bank of Belen was one of the first smaller banks in the area to create an on-line banking system — just proof again of how the bank uses the most modern technology, and is always developing new ways to serve customers.

The bank’s on-line service of Business Banking Cash Management is growing in popularity for small-business owners. The service enables business owners to manage payroll all on the Internet. It will even keep track of and send out payments electronically to employees.

The bank plans to develop even more convenient products in the near future, such as mortgage loans and sweep accounts. Sweep accounts are business accounts that are invested in treasury bonds, giving the account holder higher rates of interest earned.

The bank also plans to fine-tune its existing services by consulting with customers to meet their needs and desires.

“We’re looking for continual improvement,” Carson said.

The Bank of Belen is committed to helping its community, and contributes much of its money to local causes. Its biggest program is a scholarship fund. The commitment over the next 30 years is $1 million.

Carson said the bank is “very grateful” for its success. He said customers have contributed to the bank’s growth by telling others about us and continuing to utilize the bank’s services all these years.

He said he anticipates the bank continuing to grow, adding branches all over the region, especially in Albuquerque, where, he said, there is “a lot of potential to provide a high level of service.”

Carson said banking is an enjoyable profession for him. He said “95 percent of what a banker does is good for the community … it helps people realize their dreams.”

The Bank of Belen looks forward to many more years of realizing the dreams of its customers, and hopes to continue to always work for its community.

See our website at www.bankofbelen.com