As one bank leaves town, another opens up, or at least that’s the case in Conger.

Saturday, February 23, 2002

As one bank leaves town, another opens up, or at least that’s the case in Conger. The First National Bank of Kiester will be opening a branch in the community later this spring, after the Americana Branch closes.

&uot;One of the reasons we’re doing it is because we’re from a small town. We know the territory. We’re hoping it will work out for both the community and us,&uot; said Kent Christian, president of the Kiester bank.

&uot;We’re all highly supportive. People in town are really excited,&uot; said Rick Miller, Conger’s mayor.

Christian sees this as a good business opportunity, as well as a way to support a rural community.

&uot;We try to make reasonable business decisions, but also try to support the communities in which we do business,&uot; he said.

&uot;My father used to say ‘You need to take advantage of opportunities when they come to you’ and that’s what this is. We didn’t pick the timing of this expansion but we’ll take advantage of it,&uot; said Christian.

Bank officials and community leaders started talking about the possibility of a branch in Conger soon after Americana officials announced they were closing their branch.

&uot;We’ve been working with Kent since Americana announced they were pulling out. We’re relieved – to lose a bank is a major thing for a small town,&uot; said Miller.

After hearing from residents and businesses in Conger and consulting with other bankers in the area, including Americana, bank officials decided to go ahead with their plans.

On Tuesday, Feb. 19, the Kiester bank finalized its purchase of a building on the western edge of Conger that had previously held the Floral Affair flower shop. The existing bank building owned by Americana was unavailable, said bank officials.

&uot;The community has been very receptive. The mayor and city council have been very helpful,&uot; said Christian.

On their part, community leaders see the bank’s decision as great news.

Bank officials hope to have the branch open by the end of March, so that there is no lag time between when the Americana branch closes and the new one opens.

The Conger branch will be staffed by one full-time teller when it opens, with other bank employees rotating into the building on a part-time basis. Customers of the bank will also be able to make appointments and meet with loan officers and other officials at the Conger location. The building will also offer a drive-through window for customers.

Because safety is of concern to the bank, plans call for a bulletproof glass barrier and steel plating to be installed between the teller’s work area and the lobby and at the drive-through window. John Dale, a local contractor, will be the main contractor in charge of completing the renovations.

First National Bank of Kiester is an independent, privately owned bank with $18.5 million in assets. It has been in business since 1899.