By Stephen Smoot
One could be forgiven for confusion. Smaller banks are often swallowed by bigger banks.
In this case, however, Grant County Bank will continue into the future both financially strong, and independent. It will simply move forward with the name Highlands Bank.
“We’ve been here since 1902,” related Scotty Miley, chief executive officer. “In 1903, the Wright Brothers flew the first airplane. We’ve been here through World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, major floods, the pandemic.”
That said, he added, “It’s time to change the name to reflect what we’re all about.”
While “Grant County Bank” reflects the origins and also the continued core of the business, growth has pursued opportunities elsewhere. The former Grant County Bank had its names of branches in Pendleton, Tucker, and Mineral, with one coming soon to Falling Waters near Martinsburg.
“We only changed the name,” stated Miley, who added that for the customer all else stayed the same, including routing numbers, accounts, and other aspects of the business.
Though many in Grant County would prefer the original name, as the bank expands throughout the Potomac Highlands and Eastern Panhandle, the specific name became a potential barrier to growth. Pendleton Community Bank years ago switched its name from Pendleton County Bank as they expanded into other counties and also into the state of Virginia.
Highlands Bank marked the occasion with a thank-you celebration held on the bank grounds in Petersburg. Regardless of the 95-degree temperatures, dozens made their way to enjoy free hotdogs and drinks, the music of Joe Crites, and fellowship on a typical high heat summer day.
Staff from the bank rushed around to make sure that all had what they needed.
Kirk Wilson, a member of the board of directors, shared that “I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked the question of why did you do it?”
“We’re a business,” he said, going on to add that “if you’re going to stay in business, you’ve got to grow.” Growth has accelerated for the bank during the past year. Wilson shared that the bank’s worth in 2025 was approximately $300 million, but now tops $400 million. The stock price jumped from $32 a share to $47.
“Those are indicators of growth and great leadership,” he noted.
What also will not change is the bank’s identity as a “community bank.” The Independent Community Bankers of America define a “community bank” as different from “megabanks that often operate without a strong connection between where they gather deposits and where they make loans.”
The ICBA explains that “community banks focus on reinvesting in neighborhoods where their depositors live and work, fostering growth for local businesses and communities” and that “their relationship banking philosophy is ingrained in the way they conduct business one loan – one customer – at a time.”
In 2011, William Loving of Pendleton Community Bank went to the United States Senate to testify on the status of community banking on behalf of ICBA. He stated that during the major recession that started in 2008, “lending by small community banks actually increased” and “small business lending (by them) decreased only slightly. By contrast, small business lending by the largest banks dropped off sharply.”
This indicates that when times are tough, all banks stand by those they consider “community.” Larger banks, however, often have a different idea of what forms their “community.”
Community banks work more closely with their neighbors and others who form the core of their business. Gerald Sites, a director emeritus after decades with bank leadership, shared in a post by Highlands Bank nine months ago that it was a true community institution “where customers can walk in, talk through their needs, and even meet with the president directly.”
Wilson also shared that a community bank has more flexibility to work with its customers and “some of them have been with us for 30 or 40 years.”
“It’s about building relationships with our customers,” he added about the bank’s focus and mission.
