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State Bank of Southern Utah (SBSU): Overview

State Bank of Southern Utah logoState Bank of Southern Utah, also known as SBSU, was founded in 1957 by community leaders in Cedar City in southern Utah. Since its first shareholder meeting at the Old Escalante Hotel in Cedar City, SBSU has grown significantly, expanding from its original headquarters to multiple communities across southern Utah. Today, SBSU operates branches in cities such as St. George, Hurricane, and Richfield, offering a wide range of banking services. Below is a summary of SBSU products and customer service.

State Bank of Southern Utah Customer Service

800-662-1788
435-865-2300

Monday to Saturday
8am – 8pm

Utah cities where SBSU operates include:

Cedar City, Circleville, Delta, Escalante, Fillmore, Gunnison, Hurricane, Kanab, Orderville, Parowan, Richfield, Santa Clara, St. George, Tropic

Expansion

SBSU’s expansion starts with its 1957 founding in Cedar City, created by local community leaders who wanted banking decisions made locally.  From there, the bank grew “community by community” across southern and central Utah—adding offices as it identified local demand—while keeping that local decision-making approach at the center of its model.

In 1999, SBSU completed a branch acquisition when it acquired the Richfield branch of Community First Bank—a smaller but notable step that helped expand its reach in the Richfield area.

A major modern milestone was the 2019 merger/acquisition of Gunnison Valley Bank, which became part of SBSU’s branch network.  Today, SBSU operates a regional footprint of about 17 branches across 14 cities and towns in southern and central Utah, reflecting decades of steady expansion beyond Cedar City into the surrounding communities it serves.

SBSU Consumer Products and Services

State Bank of Southern Utah (SBSU) offers a full lineup of everyday banking products designed for individuals and businesses across southern Utah. Below is a breakdown of its main services, including checking and savings options, certificates of deposit, credit cards, and loan solutions—so you can quickly understand what SBSU offers and which products might fit your needs.

SBSU Checking Accounts

State Bank of Southern Utah checking accounts

sbsu.com | Checking Accounts

SBSU High Interest

SBSU High Interest is a free checking option designed for customers who want their checking account to earn a higher interest rate when certain activity requirements are met. 

SBSU Cash Back

SBSU Cash Back is a free checking option built around earning cash back on eligible debit card purchases, based on meeting monthly activity requirements. 

SBSU Eats

SBSU Eats is a free checking option focused on cash-back style rewards tied to select food delivery services and grocery-related purchases, with monthly activity requirements. 

SBSU Play

SBSU Play is a free checking option that emphasizes cash-back style rewards related to select streaming categories, with monthly activity requirements. 

Student Account

SBSU’s Student Account is a checking option built for students and young adults, with eligibility up to the 25th birthday. If the account holder is under 18, SBSU requires an adult joint owner, and the account is designed to roll into a standard account around age 25.

Other Checking Options offered by State Bank of Southern Utah:

Free Checking

Free Checking is SBSU’s basic everyday checking option, designed for simple banking needs like deposits, payments, and debit card spending.

Emerald Elite

Emerald Elite is a premium checking option built for customers who want an upgraded account experience with additional features beyond standard checking.

BIG Interest Checking

BIG Interest Checking is an interest-focused checking option designed for customers who want their checking account to earn interest based on their relationship and account activity.

Classic 55 Checking

Classic 55 Checking is a checking option created for customers age 55 and older, with features tailored to everyday banking needs.

Savings Accounts

SBSU Savings

SBSU Savings is the bank’s standard savings account, built for everyday saving and basic account access.

Money Market Account (MMA)

The Money Market Account is a savings-style account that typically offers higher earning potential than a regular savings account while still providing access to funds.

Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

Certificates of Deposit are time-based deposit accounts that lock funds for a set term in exchange for a fixed rate structure, commonly used for planned savings goals.

SBSU Credit Cards

State Bank of Southern Utah credit cards

sbsu.com | Credit Cards

SBSU offers a small lineup of consumer credit cards with a simple structure: one option focuses on straightforward borrowing without rewards, and the other is designed for everyday spending with a points-based rewards program. Both are positioned as general-purpose cards rather than a large catalog of specialized card types.

Classic Low Rate Card

The Classic Low Rate Card is a basic credit card option focused on straightforward borrowing, without a rewards program.

Platinum Rewards Card

The Platinum Rewards Card is a rewards-focused credit card designed for everyday spending, with points that can be redeemed through the card’s rewards program.

Personal Loans

Auto Loans

Auto Loans cover consumer vehicle financing for cars and similar purchases. 

ATV

ATV loans are for financing off-road and recreational vehicles. 

Boats & RV

Boats & RV loans are for financing recreational vehicles such as boats and RVs. 

Unsecured Loan

The Unsecured Loan is SBSU’s personal loan option that does not use collateral. 

SBSU Mortgages

Home Loans

State Bank of Southern Utah groups its traditional mortgage lending under Home Loans, which is the main category for financing a primary residence. This typically includes common mortgage needs like buying a home, refinancing, and working with a lender to choose a structure that matches the borrower’s timeline and budget.

Residential Construction

For customers building a home, SBSU lists Residential Construction as a separate mortgage category. Construction lending usually follows the build process in phases, with financing tied to construction progress rather than a single upfront disbursement.

Home Equity (HELOC)

SBSU also offers a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), which is commonly used as a flexible borrowing option secured by home equity. A HELOC is often positioned for projects or expenses where the borrower may want access to funds over time instead of all at once.

Home Equity Loan

In addition, SBSU lists a Home Equity Loan, which is typically a one-time, lump-sum loan secured by home equity. This option is often used when the borrower prefers a single fixed amount for a specific purpose rather than a revolving credit line.

Conclusion

State Bank of Southern Utah (SBSU) was founded in 1957 in Cedar City and has grown from a local community bank into a regional institution serving communities across southern and central Utah. A key expansion milestone was the 2019 acquisition of Gunnison Valley Bank, which helped extend its presence in central Utah.

On the consumer side, SBSU offers a mix of everyday banking products, including multiple checking options, savings and CDs, 2 credit card options, and a loan lineup that covers personal needs (auto, recreational, unsecured) and home financing (home loans, construction, home equity).

 

Disclaimer:
This page is not affiliated with, maintained by, or sponsored by State Bank of Southern Utah (SBSU). The information provided in this overview may be outdated or inaccurate after the publication date. UtahFi does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the content. The SBSU logo is a registered trademark of State Bank of Southern Utah.