Describe the recent growth in the Yuma area, and what opportunities have been presented
to the bank as a result.
Yuma Community Bank opened a second location in January 2008 in the Fortuna Foothills
CDP (census-designated place), located in Yuma County, approximately 18 miles from
Yuma. The Foothills are nestled in the Yuma and Gila Valleys of southern Arizona,
offering a climate that blends pleasant desert sunshine with the cool waters of
the Colorado River. The clean air affords residents and visitors alike a year-round
vista of surrounding rugged mountains.
This area’s population grew from 20,478 in 2000 to an estimated 28,400 in mid- 2008,
an increase of 38.56%. However, the winter visitors are what makes Yuma and the
Foothills explode for approximately five months out of the year. A Canadian newspaper
referred to Yuma as the “winter-visitor capital of North America.” Over 99,000 winter
visitors make Yuma their annual winter residence. Tourism continues to be one of
Yuma’s largest industries, contributing over $600 million annually ($458 million
attributed to winter visitor trade). While the economy has slowed down somewhat,
the winter visitors are still coming back, with the largest concentration staying
in the Foothills.
Deposits at our new location have exceeded projected growth by 23% in nine months.
The value is our ability to gather deposits and meet the personal and small business
banking needs of our community.
Yuma Community Bank continues to emphasize the fundamentals of sound banking. We
look forward to ongoing growth in both locations in 2009.
— Katherine M. Brandon, President & CEO