Launched by local farmers and small business owners in a mobile trailer back in 1975, Tri Counties Bank has grown across a footprint that spans Bakersfield to the Oregon border with over 1,000 employees and nearly $4 billion in assets. To celebrate its success and commitment to the communities it has served over the last four decades, the bank will donate $1,000 each to 40 nonprofits throughout the region. Then, through a grant process, one of the chosen nonprofits will be awarded an additional $40,000. Tri Counties Bank is also thanking customers with special promotions and will honor its 40 longest-serving employees as part of the anniversary celebration.

“Our founders began a strong commitment that has continued all these years to improve the financial success and well-being of our shareholders, customers, communities and employees,” said Richard Smith, President & CEO, Tri Counties Bank. “We are proud to celebrate 40 years of profitability and service with all of them.”

Bank employees across the region participated in the 40 nonprofit selection process, focusing on organizations that are dedicated to improving local communities. The bank will be celebrating with each of the nonprofits in their local communities later this summer. Nonprofits in the Chico area will be presented with their donation checks during an anniversary celebration this Thursday. The event is hosted by Innovate North State, a regional economic development partnership of leading companies in the greater 530 Area Code.

“Tri Counties Bank is one of our key partners investing in local companies to help them grow and create more jobs,” said Jon Gregory, Managing Director of Innovate North State. “We salute them for four decades of helping small businesses and innovative entrepreneurs thrive.”

The bank will also celebrate its anniversary by distributing 40,000 eco-friendly shopping bags to bank customers and have employee recognition events including special acknowledgment of their 40 longest-serving employees.

About Tri Counties Bank

Established in 1975,Tri Counties Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TriCo Bancshares (NASDAQ:TCBK) with assets of nearly $4 billion headquartered in Chico, California, providing a unique brand of customer Service with Solutions available in traditional stand-alone and in-store bank branches in communities throughout Northern and Central California. The Bank provides an extensive and competitive breadth of consumer, small business and commercial banking financial services, along with convenient around-the-clock ATM, online and mobile banking access. www.tricountiesbank.com.

About Innovate North State

Innovate North State is nonprofit 501(c)(3) Regional Economic Development Company dedicated to expanding the economy in Northern California’s Golden Triangle, north of San Francisco to Tahoe to Redding. The goal of Innovate North State is to create jobs and foster a more vibrant regional economy by supporting the most innovative local companies.