Bank loans come in all types
Mother Lode Internet, the first Internet provider in Tuolumne County, is still a family-owned-and-operated business that plans to keep its focus on the Mother Lode.
Although Dennis and Brenda Dahlin have incorporated the business, they remain the only stockholders.
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Sentinel is a local community bank that guarantees personalized service.
It has locations in downtown Sonora, The Junction shopping Center, Twain Harte Village shopping center and Arnold. Loans are serviced by the staff at the main office in downtown Sonora.
"We offer many loan and deposit products that are very competitive and friendly to use," said Ranch Ilich, senior vice president and chief credit officer. "Where else can you apply for a loan, get local approval and make your loan payments locally? At other lenders, your loan will most likely be sold. Sentinel has made a strong commitment to service your loan locally."
Ilich said service is the bank's first priority, but very competitive loan rates are also offered.
"We offer more loan products than imaginable," he said. "If you are looking for 100 percent financing for a first time home buyer or building your dream home, Sentinel has the program."
Sentinel has received 24 consecutive five-star "Superior" ratings, the top rating from Bauer Financial, a financial institutions analysis company.
The bank was founded in Sonora 16 years ago. When the doors opened, it employed four people. Sentinel now has 53 employees, with offices in downtown Sonora, The Junction shopping center and Twain Harte shopping center, plus a loan office in Arnold.
Bank directors
Members of the board of directors are Pete Kleinert, chairman and co-owner of Cutler-Segerstrom Insurance Agency; Donald Cusey, president and chief executive officer of Sentinel Community Bank; Ken Roberson, secretary of the board and investor; Robert Johnson, owner of Stuft Pizza; Paul von Savoye, co-owner of Cutler-Segerstrom Insurance Agency; Lary Davis, president of Sonora Community Hospital; Kim Daters, certified financial planner; Joe Martin, president of Martin Trucking, and Gary Dambacher, attorney.
Community needs
"As a full service community bank, Sentinel has a responsibility to meet the needs of our community," said Ilich. "We take our job seriously in meeting those needs.
"We put our money back into our community. We have an obligation to finance homes for the hard-working families, as well as to help our local small business owners, which are the backbone of our community. Our community's success is our success."
Sentinel Community Bank
229 S. Washington St., Sonora
533-3011