State Bank of Clarks Grove will be opening a branch in Albert Lea sometime in late spring, according to bank president and owner Joe Narverud.

&uot;We’ve got a lot of accounts in Albert Lea now and our growth seems to be coming from the north end of Albert Lea,&uot; Narverud said.

The new branch will built where Northbridge Liquor used to be on Bridge Avenue across from Northbridge Mall.

&uot;We’ve just gotten through with tearing that old building down,&uot; explained Narverud. He expects that the new building should be up and open by late April or early May.

Narverud said the bank will have been in business for 100 years in 2003 and that the Albert Lea branch will be the first extension of their bank outside of Clarks Grove.

&uot;We’re a small bank so personal service is our niche,&uot; Narverud said. &uot;We know our customers well and they know us. I think we’ll bring a little of that country spirit to Albert Lea when we open.&uot;