Who Are We

In 1908, William J. Dancer organized the Stockbridge State Bank (now known simply as SSBBank) with a capitalization of $20,000. He was the president of the bank. Orville Gorton was vice-president, and John Hubert was cashier. Directors were Dr. Christopher Brogan, Edwin Farmer, A. A. Hall, S. L. Cobb, Emanuel Hawley, Charles Gaylord, N. E. McCann, William J. Dancer, and Orville Gorton.

The bank was organized in 1908 to save the Stockbridge community from financial chaos. In 1907, the Commercial Bank of Geo. P. Glazier & Gay (a bank in which the Michigan state treasurer had an interest) had been closed. The community was without a bank and the people had had their confidence shaken in banking. The show of confidence and trust that the organizers of the new Stockbridge State Bank had shown to the community and in each other quieted the fears of those who had been hurt in the bank closing of the former Commercial Bank of Geo. P. Glazier & Gay. Shortly, a feeling of confidence replaced the gloom of the banking disaster and Stockbridge began to prosper.

Stockbridge State Bank opened for business in the former offices of the Commercial Bank located in the 100 block of West Main Street, Stockbridge in the far southeastern corner of Ingham County and is the second oldest bank still operating in Ingham County. The Stockbridge office serves customers in Ingham, Jackson, Livingston, and Washtenaw Counties. In 1966, the Stockbridge office moved to a large, newly built facility just across the street from the original bank. (The old bank is now the location of the Abbott Fillmore Insurance Agency.)

The bank opened its second office in Gregory on the western edge of Livingston County in 1964. In 1991, a third office was opened in Eaton Rapids on the eastern side of Eaton County. In preparation for even more branches in the future, the bank decided in 2002 to officially change its name from Stockbridge State Bank to SSBBank. After the bank’s name was changed, a fourth office was opened in Holt/South Lansing in 2004.

W. J. Dancer remained active in the business until his death in 1942, at which time, his third son, Paul C. Dancer, was elected president. In 1985, John T. Dancer was elected president of the bank. In 1993, Douglas Orton was elected president and Ronald Soule was elected executive vice president & CEO. J. Benjamin Dancer was elected chairman of the board in 2000. In 2001, Ronald Soule was elected president.

Customers have always been of utmost importance to the management and staff of the bank. Former President, Paul C. Dancer said, “You can have a great Board of Directors and a wonderful list of services, but it’s the customers that make the bank”. This was also emphasized by former President, John T. Dancer who said, “Our customers have always been the primary focus of this operation. We want them to be comfortable here and we want them to be very secure in their financial dealings”.

According to current President, Ronald L. Soule, “SSBBank is proud of our past and in our role as the foremost provider of financial services in the village of Stockbridge since 1908. We have a history of offering personal, hometown service in central Michigan for over 100 years. We are dedicated to providing high quality service and superior financial programs to our customers including the latest in online banking systems, while at the same time, maintaining a strong, secure financial position. We have always been community oriented and have demonstrated this by responsibly lending to local businesses and citizens within an area that we could adequately serve. Meeting the deposit and credit needs of our communities is our primary purpose for existence”.

Philosophy

WE BELIEVE...that the ultimate goal of the Bank is the development of the opportunity to serve our community and benefit all who come in contact with us.

WE BELIEVE...it is our responsibility to operate our business at a fair profit while protecting and enhancing the investment of our customers. We will conduct our affairs with the highest ethical standards and constantly strive to maintain financial soundness and integrity.

WE BELIEVE...that the Bank has an obligation to serve its customers with honesty and fairness. The satisfaction of our customers is of utmost importance and in turn will contribute to our continued growth.

Mission Statement

It shall be the mission of the Bank to maintain its local ownership and control while managing its assets and liabilities in a prudent manner, with integrity, so as to present a strong institution dedicated to providing and promoting needed financial services to all economic sectors of our communities. We shall seek ways to grow the bank in a careful and financially sound manner. We shall also strive to earn reasonable returns in the form of share value for the stockholders and develop meaningful careers and a challenging and rewarding work environment for our associates.