2024 New Year's Letter from Alice

January 1, 2024
Dear Clients, Friends, and Neighbors, my husband gave our adult children a special pen and journal for Christmas this year. His words of wisdom were, “Be sure to look around and take in those special moments coming to you in 2024. Take time to journal all that you see and feel. Many years from now you will appreciate the opportunity to read your thoughts from back-in-the-day.”
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My tradition of writing a New Year’s letter to our clients is similar to the gift above. It’s an opportunity for us to reflect upon the many achievements of 2023.  However, and more importantly, it is an opportunity for me to express my gratitude for your continued trust and loyalty to this locally owned community bank.1    
 
Early in 2023 it became apparent that not all banks are alike in ensuring they invest the deposits entrusted to them by their clients into safe and sound loans to consumers and businesses that results in the growth of local economies.  From our founding in 1871 to now, we remain committed to being a stabilizing force within the communities we serve.  Our commitment to building trust and long-term relationships with our clients, one at a time, has resulted in continued growth.  This year we surpassed $800 million in assets, achieving another milestone.   
 
The financial health and strength of our bank is as important to us as it is you.  In the banking industry we have our own Good Housekeeping type of seal of approval that is issued by Bauer Financial.  Bauer Financial rates banks in five categories and then awards a star rating.   BCT continues to be a 5 Star Bank, acknowledging our quality financial strength.   
 
This year also brought BCT several awards and recognitions for which I am both amazed and proud.  Without hesitation I can say none of these superlatives would be possible without your support plus the tireless efforts of our employees who provide exceptional, personalized services for you.  Below are a few of those recognitions.
 
2023 Recognition:
  • TOP 200 COMMUNITY BANK in USA (American Banker)
  • BEST BANK (Journal-News Reader Poll)
  • BEST FINANCIAL PLANNING SERVICE (Journal-News Readers Poll)
  • BEST LOAN SERVICE (Journal-News Readers Poll)
  • BEST MORTGAGE COMPANY (Journal-News Readers Poll)
  • BEST BANKS TO WORK FOR (American Banker)
 
While these awards are appreciated, I am most gratified by our ability to support the local community through our BCTCares Foundation.  Food insecurity is a growing problem in our local communities that concerns us hence our commitment to the annual Pack the ‘Pack campaign which raised, with your help, $65,000 for our four local partners who provide food backpacks to local children and their families.  Overall for 2023, BCTCares Foundation provided $100,000 to twelve nonprofit organizations focused on assisting with ending food insecurity.   By supporting this direct need in our communities, we are fulfilling our role of neighbors helping neighbors and sincerely appreciate the good work of these local nonprofits.  
 
For over 152 years, BCT has served our community with a resolve of providing financial services that help our neighbors in practical, meaningful ways.  As we look to the next 152 years, I am committed to ensuring BCT builds upon our successes with new and innovative services that will simplify your financial life and that of your family and business.  If you have any interesting and helpful ideas, let me know.  I’m always looking!
 
To you and yours, I wish you a Happy New Year and a 2024 filled with peace and success.
 
Sincerely,
Alice-signature_small
-Alice-
 
1 Bank of Charles Town (BCT) is a subsidiary of Potomac Bancshares, Inc., traded on the OTC Pink Sheet under the symbol of PTBS. Potomac Bancshares, Inc. is also headquartered in Charles Town, WV. 
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About the Company

Founded in 1871, BCT - Bank of Charles Town, also known as The Community's Bank, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Potomac Bancshares, Inc. (OTC:PTBS). With approximately $831 million in assets as of December 31, 2023, the Company conducts operations through its main office, an additional eight branch offices, and two loan production offices.  BCT’s offices are located in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties (WV), Washington County (MD), and Loudoun and Stafford Counties (VA). The Bank provides various banking products and services including free access to over 55,000 ATMs through the Allpoint® network plus an affiliation with Sheetz convenience stores.  The Bank provides convenient online and mobile banking for individuals, businesses, and local governments. The Bank also offers commercial lines and term loans, residential and commercial construction loans, commercial real estate loans, agricultural loans, and government contractor loans.  The Bank is also a Small Business Administration (SBA) Preferred Lender.  The Residential Lending division offers secondary market and portfolio mortgage loans, one-time close construction to perm loans, as well as home equity loans and lines of credit.  For over 70 years, BCT Wealth Advisors has provided trust services, growing into a premier financial management, investments, and estate services provider.  In 2023, American Banker selected BCT as a “Top 200 Community Bank,” an annual listing of the best performing banks in the United States with assets under $2 billion.  BCT was voted a “Best of the Best” winner in the 2023 Journal-News Readers’ Choice Awards in four  categories:  Bank, Mortgage Company, Loan Services, and Financial Planning.  In 2023, 2021, 2020, and 2019 the Bank was named a “Best Bank To Work For” by American Banker.

The Company's shares are quoted on the OTC Pink Sheet marketplace under the symbol "PTBS." For more information about Potomac Bancshares, Inc., and the Bank, please visit our website at www.mybct.bank.