History
Founded in 1907, Citizens Building and Loan first opened its doors in the BA Bennett and Company building (still standing today) between Trade and Poinsett Streets. Led by a strong group of local citizens from the business community, the bank encouraged the town’s close-knit population of farmers, mill workers and merchants to build their dreams through home ownership and by regularly saving for the future.
Back in the day, customers would deposit as little as $5 a week in savings plans. When the surrounding mill houses were sold, Citizens helped finance many of them. For Five Generations and Counting,™ Greer families have passed down the tradition of doing business with CBL.
The reason for our loyal, growing family of customers? At CBL, we treat all of our customers the same, whether they are large or small borrowers and savers. Our founding mission, “To maintain long term relationships with our customers and to deliver personal service,” is as true today as it was then.
Downtown Greer has always been our home. In 1972, CBL moved to our second location at 117 Trade Street. Then, in 1992, growth and progress dictated it was time once again to make a move, so we conducted a study on where our new building should be located. The trend at the time was for new businesses to leave the downtown area and build along the rapidly growing Hwy 29.
Rather than follow the crowd (or the actual study recommendations), CBL chose to make a stand for the future of downtown. The result is our present $1.7 million building at the corner of Trade and Randall Streets. Many consider 229 Trade Street as the cornerstone of the revitalization efforts that have transformed the center of downtown into the vibrant destination known today as Greer Station.
Over the course of 100 years, CBL never has been one to follow the trends. Our financial institution has grown during economic boom times such as the roaring twenties and survived bad times like the Great Depression of the 1930’s and the Savings and Loan failures of the 1980’s.
Through it all, we’ve remained true to our heritage of conservative leadership and to our original goal to serve our local community as a savings and loan facility. Today, with over $100 million in assets and an expanding customer base, Citizens Building and Loan is one of the most highly capitalized institutions in the state.
There is only one Citizens Building and Loan. Come see what makes us special.