No. 11: Chesapeake Bank

Location: Kilmarnock, Va.
Assets: $650 million
No. of employees: 196
Chairman, President and CEO: Jeffrey Szyperski

Support for local stores is a companywide affair for Chesapeake Bank.

As part of a campaign called "It's All About Community," the bank offers employees a variety of ways to get involved in efforts to promote their small-business neighbors.

Among the most prominent effort is a semiannual Shop Local day. The bank takes out extensive advertising in support of the event, and supplies shopping bags with a Shop Local logo.

Businesses offer discounts during the event, but bank employees have an extra reason to open their wallets. During the most recent Shop Local day, Chesapeake encouraged employees to take photos of themselves while shopping, post the pictures on Facebook and then tag the bank's marketing director. The most creative selfie won a $150 Visa gift card.

Chesapeake, founded in 1900, operates 12 branches in southeastern Virginia, as well as a loan production office in Richmond. A subsidiary in Williamsburg, Va., Chesapeake Investment Group, offers wealth management services.

The bank promotes an open-door atmosphere, in part by having the CEO call employees on their birthdays.

Next: Veritex Community Bank

Previous: City Bank

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