RALEIGH (January 18, 2018) – Franklin-based Entegra Bank was honored as the 2017 Community Bank of the Year at this year’s Rural Assembly, held in Raleigh on November 16. Hosted annually by the NC Rural Center, the Rural Assembly is the state’s premier event focused on the big issues facing North Carolina’s rural communities. The award recognizes Entegra Bank’s successful participation in the Rural Center’s Small Business Credit Initiative, a program that reduces loan risk by partnering with private lenders to fund small business startup and expansion throughout the state. The Community Bank of the Year award is given to a partner financial institution that is a leader in providing loan capital and delivering excellent customer service to small businesses in North Carolina.