Buckeye State Bank

What Buckeye State Bank does

Buckeye State Bank is a community-focused, employee-owned commercial bank headquartered in Powell, Ohio, operating as a subsidiary of Buckeye State Bancshares, Inc. (BSBi). The bank traces its charter to 1885 as Citizens Bank of DeGraff and holds Ohio state charter number 3, making it the state's oldest surviving state-chartered bank. It serves individual consumers and small-to-mid-size businesses across seven Ohio counties (Logan, Franklin, Delaware, Wood, Union, Lucas, and Ross) through 7 branch locations and a combined mobile and online banking platform. The bank carries SBA Preferred Lender Program designation and offers a full suite of deposit products (multiple checking and savings tiers, money market, CDs, IRAs, HSAs, IOLTA), consumer and mortgage lending (purchase, refinance, construction, HELOC, auto, personal), and business banking services (commercial real estate, SBA, agricultural, equipment, lines of credit, treasury management, merchant card services via Banc Card, and student loans via College Ave).

The bank's technology stack consists of conventional community-banking digital infrastructure: online banking with bill pay, a combined mobile banking app with mobile deposit and card controls, digital wallet support across Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, business online banking with ACH origination, wire initiation, Positive Pay fraud detection, and Remote Deposit Capture. Security architecture is described as multi-layered with 128-bit encryption, firewalls, 24-hour intrusion detection, multi-factor authentication, and pseudo account names. The bank's revenue model is that of a traditional spread-based community bank: net interest income from the difference between loan yields and deposit costs is the primary driver, supplemented by non-interest income from account fees, treasury management, and merchant card processing fees.

The bank's go-to-market emphasizes local decision-making, community reinvestment, and personalized service as differentiators versus large national banks. Distribution combines physical branches with self-serve digital channels and direct treasury management sales for business clients. Customer acquisition relies on community events and sponsorships, content marketing via the BSB Exchange blog, video and educational content, earned media, and SEO, supported by partnership-driven growth (Banc Card for merchant services, College Ave for student loans, Intuit for accounting integration). Strategic growth has been primarily through acquisitions (First City Bank in 2022, Rockhold Bank in 2023), with a stated management target of reaching $600 million in assets and 4 full-service locations beyond the home office.

Name

Buckeye State Bank

Legal name

Buckeye State Bank

Website

https://joinbsb.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1885

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Buckeye State Bank is an employee-owned Ohio community bank, operating 7 branches statewide and offering personal and business banking, SBA lending, mortgages, treasury services, and digital banking as a subsidiary of Buckeye State Bancshares, Inc.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Banking

NAICS

Depository Credit Intermediation (5221)

SIC

State Commercial Banks (6022)

akta.pro primary industry

Mass-Market Consumer Deposit Banking (Checking/Savings) (FSABAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Branch & In-Person Banking (Teller/ATM Networks) (FSABAAAE), Treasury, Cash Management & Liquidity (SME) (FSAGAJAG)

Keywords

• Community banking
• Small business lending
• Commercial real estate loans
• Digital banking services
• Agricultural lending

Headquarters

HQ city

Powell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Net Interest Income: Primary revenue stream from interest earned on loans (mortgages, commercial loans, personal loans, agricultural loans, SBA loans) minus interest paid on deposits. Core banking income from spread between lending and deposit rates.
2. Non-Interest Income: Fees from account maintenance, ATM transactions, wire transfers, overdrafts, early account closures, wire transfers, merchant services, and other banking service charges.
3. Merchant Card Services: Revenue from merchant card processing services through Banc Card partnership, including transaction processing fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Buckeye State Bank is a community bank that provides deposit products (checking, savings, money market, CDs, IRAs, HSAs, ICS/CDARS), consumer and business loan products (residential mortgages, HELOC, auto, personal, SBA, commercial real estate, agriculture, business lines of credit), treasury and cash management services, and a digital banking platform spanning online, mobile, mobile deposit, and digital wallets. It serves individual consumers and small/mid-size businesses across multiple Ohio counties through seven branch locations.

Product overview

Buckeye State Bank is a community-focused regional bank headquartered in Powell, Ohio, operating as a subsidiary of Buckeye State Bancshares, Inc. The bank's product portfolio consists of a unified suite of core banking products and digital banking services delivered through a modern platform. Personal banking products include multiple checking account tiers (Buckeye Advantage Member Checking, Buckeye Cash Rewards, Buckeye Student Advantage, and Buckeye Boost), savings accounts (Buckeye Advantage Saver, Buckeye Championship Savings, Buckeye Growth Savings, Buckeye Anywhere Savings+, Buckeye Homebuyer Savings, Christmas Club), money market accounts, certificates of deposit, IRAs, and HSAs. Lending products span residential mortgages (purchase, refinance, construction, renovation), home equity products (HELOC, cash-out refinance), auto loans, personal loans, and business loans including SBA loans, commercial real estate, agriculture, and GrowNOW Ohio. The bank's digital banking platform encompasses online and mobile banking, mobile deposit, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay), Business Online Banking with Cash Management and Positive Pay, ACH origination, Remote Deposit Capture, Merchant Card Services, Credit Sense, Personal Finance Manager, wire transfers, and Buckeye @ Work employee benefits. The bank serves consumers and businesses across Logan, Franklin, Delaware, Wood, Union, Lucas, and Ross counties in Ohio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Buckeye State Bank: Main brand name for the community banking operations
• Buckeye Advantage Member (BAM) Checking
• Buckeye Anywhere Savings+
• GrowNOW Ohio
• Buckeye @ Work

Products and services

• Personal Checking Accounts (Buckeye Advantage Member, Cash Rewards, Buckeye Checking, Student Advantage, Buckeye Boost) Suite of personal checking accounts for Ohio consumers, including BAM Checking with up to 3.00% APY on balances up to $15,000 plus ATM fee refunds, Cash Rewards Checking with $0.10 cash back per debit swipe up to $10/month, Buckeye Checking with no monthly service charge, Student Advantage Checking for ages 14–17 with a parent joint signer, and Buckeye Boost Checking for those getting or restarting their financial journey.
• Personal Savings Accounts (Advantage Saver, Championship, Growth, Anywhere Savings+, Homebuyer Savings, Christmas Club, Buckeye Savings) Seven personal savings offerings: Advantage Saver (up to 2.75% APY when linked to BAM Checking), Championship Savings (up to 3.25% APY on higher balances), Growth Savings (3.50% APY at $25k+), Anywhere Savings+ online-only at 3.90% APY with no minimum balance, Buckeye Homebuyer Savings (up to $100,000 over 5 years with potential Ohio tax deductions and a $1,000 closing-cost credit), Christmas Club (seasonal savings with up to $20 bonus), and Buckeye Savings (basic savings with $200 minimum waiver).
• Money Market Accounts (Buckeye Growth Savings Money Market, Buckeye Money Market Checking) Personal money market products including Buckeye Growth Savings earning 3.50% APY on balances of $25,000 or more with six free check/debit transactions per month, and Buckeye Money Market Checking earning 3.00% APY with ATM fee reimbursements and overdraft protection.
• Certificates of Deposit (CDs) Fixed-rate CDs with terms ranging from 6 months to 5 years, $500 minimum deposit, no setup or maintenance fees, automatic renewal with a 10-day grace period, and FDIC insurance.
• Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Tax-advantaged retirement accounts available in Traditional and Roth IRA options with $500 minimum opening deposit, competitive interest rates, and FDIC insurance up to the maximum allowed by law.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) Interest-bearing HSA for individuals covered by a high-deductible health plan, offering triple tax savings on contributions, earnings, and qualified withdrawals, with a $50 minimum deposit and a $3 monthly fee waived at $1,000 balance.
• ICS/CDARS Deposit Insurance Sweep Programs FDIC insurance extension programs enabling deposits exceeding $250,000 to be placed across multiple banks within the IntraFi network, extending coverage up to $50 million with the convenience of a single account relationship at Buckeye State Bank.
• Home Mortgage Loans (Purchase, Refinance, Construction, Renovation, Cash-out) Residential mortgage lending offering conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, first-time buyer, jumbo, bridge, and investor cash-flow loans, with one-time closing construction-to-permanent loans, renovation loans based on as-completed value, and cash-out refinance up to 80% of current home value. Decisions are made locally.
• Welcome Home Down Payment Assistance Program Down payment and closing cost assistance grant program through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati providing up to $20,000 for first-time homebuyers and veterans meeting income and property eligibility requirements.
• Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Revolving credit line using home equity as collateral, featuring a 3.99% APR promotional rate for 180 days, borrow up to 90% LTV, no closing costs, and funds available for ongoing or seasonal needs. Maximum APR 18% with a $50 annual fee waived first year.
• Personal Loans, Auto Loans and Student Loans (via College Ave) Fixed-rate auto loans for new or used vehicles with refinancing options, customized personal loans available as secured (backed by CD, automobile, RV, or real estate) or unsecured, and private student loans offered through a College Ave partnership for undergraduate, graduate, and parent borrowers.
• Mastercard Debit Card (Personal) Free Mastercard debit card accepted globally and online, required for earning rewards with Buckeye Advantage Member checking account and supported by Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay digital wallets.
• Business Savings Accounts and Business Money Market Tiered-interest business savings, money market, and Championship Savings for Business products with higher rates on larger balances, direct check writing, $2,500 minimum deposit to open money market accounts with a $15 monthly fee waived by maintaining minimum balance, and free online banking and e-statements.
• Business Checking Business checking account with a $5 monthly service fee waived with $2,500 minimum balance, including 250 free transactions per month with $0.15 per excess transaction.
• Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA) Trust account for attorneys holding client funds, generating interest paid to the State of Ohio Treasurer to fund civil legal services for the poor, with free online banking, free e-statements, and FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per client.
• Business Mastercard Debit Card Free Mastercard debit card for business accounts, enabling purchases globally, reducing check costs, simplifying expense tracking, with multiple cards and pre-set employee limits available.
• Commercial Real Estate Loans and Business Equipment & Operating Loans Commercial property loans for purchase, refinance, or construction of commercial properties (owner-occupied or investment), plus financing for new or used equipment, inventory, payroll, and ongoing operating needs with rates and terms customized to the business.
• Business Lines of Credit and Enterprise Value Loans Revolving business lines of credit for seasonal fluctuations, trade discounts, and working capital with interest charged only on funds used, plus enterprise value term loans up to 10 years for partial partner buy-in/buy-out, business acquisition, commercial space build-out, and SBA or private loan refinancing.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans SBA-backed loans for commercial real estate, construction, business acquisition, equipment/inventory, and working capital with government-assisted financing, lower down payments, and extended terms for startups and existing businesses. Buckeye holds SBA Preferred Lender status for faster processing and greater authority.
• Agriculture Loans and GrowNOW Ohio Competitive-rate loans for farmers covering farm equipment, inventory, vehicles, real estate, irrigation systems, crops, and machinery with repayment terms customized to the operation. GrowNOW Ohio is the Ohio Treasurer's program in which Buckeye participates, providing up to 3% interest rate reduction on new or existing small business loans up to $400,000 for two years in exchange for job creation commitments.
• Online Banking & Bill Pay Free, secure online banking platform enabling real-time transaction viewing, fund transfers, loan payments, check image viewing, stop payment requests, e-statement access, and text/email alerts.
• Mobile Banking with Mobile Deposit Mobile banking accessible via web browsing, iPhone and Android apps, or text banking, enabling account balance viewing, transaction review, alerts, bill payment, and mobile check deposit using camera-equipped devices.
• Business Online Banking and Cash Management Online banking and bill payment service for business accounts, with ACH origination, wire initiation (one-time or recurring templates), Positive Pay fraud detection (issued-check matching), and Personal CheckFree Bill Payment supporting one-time or recurring payments.
• Remote Deposit Capture Desktop check deposit service allowing business clients to scan and electronically transmit checks from their office using a desk scanner, with same-day credit up to 5 pm and state-of-the-art security including firewalls and intrusion detection.
• myPay and myPay Plus Electronic Payment Collection Electronic payment collection system for small and medium businesses enabling collection of payments for professional services, service calls, legal services, association dues, membership fees, and rental payments via the web.
• Merchant Card Services Merchant card processing service via Banc Card partnership, enabling businesses to accept card payments through mobile/Point of Sale/Virtual Terminals, e-commerce, and contactless payments with 24/7 customer support and expedited funding.
• Credit Sense Credit Monitoring Free credit monitoring tool providing daily credit score access, real-time credit monitoring alerts, interactive credit score simulator, personalized credit report insights, and exclusive credit offers through online and mobile banking without impacting the user's credit score.
• Personal Finance Manager Financial aggregation and management tool accessible through online banking that allows users to view all accounts including external accounts, customize financial goals and budgets, create personal alerts, and monitor spending through charts and graphs.
• Buckeye @ Work Employee Financial Wellness Program Employee benefit program bringing financial wellness to the workplace via direct deposit encouragement, financial literacy seminars, turnkey promotional materials, and resources aimed at reducing payroll administration costs and improving employee financial understanding.

Quantifiable outcome

• Buckeye State Bank named Best Bank in 2025 CBUS Top Pick Awards
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Banc CardcoreTechnology or Integration · 3 March 2026Banc Card is a leading merchant services provider with over 20 years of experience. They provide cutting-edge, secure, and reliable merchant card processing systems for Buckeye State Bank business clients, including mobile/point of sale/virtual terminals, e-commerce, and contactless payments.
• College Ave Student LoanscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2026College Ave Student Loans is partnered with Buckeye State Bank to provide private student loans for college. They specialize in student loans with competitive rates, multiple repayment options, and customer-friendly experience for undergraduates, graduates, and parents.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Heartland BancCorp: Ohio-based community bank holding company headquartered in Whitehall, operating in the Columbus metro with a comparable mix of consumer/SMB lending, deposits, and SBA-style small-business banking — directly overlapping Buckeye's primary footprint and product set.
• LCNB Corp. Ohio-headquartered community bank holding company (now part of an announced combination with Cincinnati-based peer) with branches across Southwest and Central Ohio; competes with Buckeye for the same SMB, consumer, and mortgage customers in overlapping counties.
• Croghan Colonial Bank: Fremont, Ohio-based independent community bank with comparable size, consumer/SMB lending mix, and agricultural loan exposure in northern Ohio — a direct competitor for retail deposits and small-business relationships in Buckeye's Wood and Lucas County branches.
• Sutton Bank: Attica, Ohio-based community bank of comparable size with consumer deposit products, mortgage lending, and a focus on local decision-making — closely matches Buckeye's community-banking value proposition in rural/secondary Ohio markets.
• Cortland Bancorp: Cortland, Ohio-based community bank holding company of similar scale, offering consumer and business banking, mortgages, and digital banking across Northeast Ohio — comparable size tier and product mix to Buckeye's footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Peoples Bancorp Inc. Marietta, Ohio-based regional bank holding company ($5B+ in assets) with branches across Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia — larger and broader incumbent overlapping Buckeye's consumer, mortgage, and SMB banking markets.
• Park National Corp. Newark, Ohio-headquartered regional bank holding company (~$10B+ in assets) operating 11 community-banking divisions across Ohio and the Carolinas — much larger incumbent with overlapping Central Ohio consumer and SMB banking customers.
• First Financial Bancorp: Cincinnati-based regional bank holding company ($15B+ in assets) with branches across Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky — broad incumbent competing with Buckeye for consumer, mortgage, and small-business relationships in the Columbus and Dayton metros.
• WesBanco Inc. Wheeling, West Virginia-based regional bank holding company with branches across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia — larger incumbent with a similar community-banking operating model and overlapping SBA, CRE, and consumer lending product set.

Regional players

• Civista Bancshares: Sandusky, Ohio-based community-oriented bank holding company serving Northern Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky markets — comparable community-banking model with similar product breadth but a distinct primary geography from Buckeye.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/joinbsb
• Facebookfacebook.com/joinbsb

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Buckeye State Bank