The economy was booming. Through the 1960s and into the early 1970s, people had money to spend, and they spent it freely. They borrowed more, too. In fact, loans became so attractive during this period that others wanted in on the action. Facing competition from savings and loan associations and others that could offer interest rate incentives, commercial banks looked for new ways to bring in customers. Lake City Bank was no different.

In 1968, the bank offered an area in its lobby for local merchants to display their wares or promotional material. Businesses could reserve the area for one-week periods, and even non-customers could book it. The program took off quickly, becoming so popular that reservations stretched up to a year in advance.

The next year, bank officers started calling customers to thank them for their business. They even made a point to say they weren’t trying to sell anything. Instead, they hoped to strengthen the personal relationships that had always driven their business.

Later in 1969, Lake City Bank followed the lead of other banks across the country and began offering incentives for new business. First came stainless steel flatware, used to draw in new savings account customers. Johann Haviland Bavarian china followed, then silver tableware, electric clocks and even wigs. More often, these promotions focused on women, and the wigs ended up being quite successful. The bank distributed more than two thousand by the time the promotion ended.

During this timeframe, the bank also hosted its first Annual Egg Breakfast. Like the Egg Breakfast held in 1935, the 1970 event took the form of the day’s first meal. Once again, Creighton Brothers Egg Farm played a prominent role as co-sponsor. The event became an instant success – more than 400 people attended the first year, 600 the following year, and 1,000 the third year.

Because of its strong focus on building relationships with the community, the bank easily withstood the competitive pressures of this period.