Missouri town welcomes bank

Northwestern Financial Review, Mar 15-Mar 31, 2003

Gold Bank has opened a branch in Independence, Mo., marking its entrance into the eastern Jackson county market. During the branch's grand opening, the town gave the $2 billion bank a warm reception and the bank gave $5,000 to two of the town's local non-profits.

Rick Viar, president of the bank branch, presented $1,000 to the Harry Truman Presidential Museum & Library. Truman impersonator Niel Johnson read some of President Truman's love letters, written to his wife Bess. Viar also presented a $4,000 check to the BiCounty United Way of Jackson and Cass counties. Viar is president of the local United Way and hoped to spark the spirit of giving with the donation.

"One of the things that sets Gold Bank apart is our strong belief in five core values, and we really live and breathe these: customer focus, integrity, responsiveness, teamwork and community involvement," Viar said. "Gold Bank is not bashful about becoming involved in the community, and we do commit a good deal of our human and financial resources to this."