In light of the recent mortgage mess, smaller community banks are thriving.

The recent conditions plaguing the financial service industry have presented a challenge for many financial institutions, but for the 8,000 plus community banks across the country, CEO's say, their businesses are booming.

“We get a lot of questions everyday of customers and investors calling and saying how's the bank doing,” president and CEO of Virginia National Bank, Glenn Rust said.

Rust is among many community bank CEOs who say in a time of uncertainty, business at smaller banks is thriving.

“Our balance sheet is very clean and it's very simple to understand and we don't have a lot of issues because of what we've done in the past, our asset quality numbers are good, and the bank doesn't need capitol we're doing fine,” Rust said.

Rust attributes an uncluttered balance sheet to a simple investment strategy.

“We're not into any of the hedge funds activities that a lot of banks were in we were never into the sub prime lending at all so those two things we've stayed away from it, and that’s what helping the bank quite a bit now,” Rust explained.

Another reason for the success of smaller banks, direct access to the decision maker.

“I just think the local community bank allows you the opportunity to have a personalized relationship with you and your banker,” VNB customer, Tony Labua said.

Watching as larger banks struggle, rust says, staying away from activities like sub prime loans and hedge funds has paid off.

“They're doing their best with a lot of complicated things going on and it's going to take a while for them to get stable,” Rust said.

“These larger banks are just getting too much and too far out of control, and it's just tougher and tougher to watch,” Labua added.

Rust says walking into any one of their offices; customers can find a commercial lender or part of the management team who is in position to speak for the bank.

Small bank owners say having all the decisions made under one roof are a benefit to them during the current conditions.