Notes, news and views on community banking

Northwestern Financial Review, Jul 15-Jul 31, 2004

"We take the time to make banking better for our customers and working with Wausau Financial Systems leading-edge technology helps make this possible," said Todd Spale, operations officer for Washington County Bank. "There's no doubt that we'll be able to better serve our customers while improving our bottom line."

Washington County Bank is a national bank that opened in April 1999; it has offices in Oakdale and Maplewood, Minn.

Congress throws its support behind Community Banking Month

At the urging of the Independent Community Bankers of America, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously adopted a formal resolution supporting ICBA's Community Banking Month. In addition to praising the role of community banks in achieving economic prosperity for their respective communities, the resolution urges President Bush to issue a proclamation calling on U.S. citizens to observe Community Banking Month with appropriate activities.

ICBA Chairman, Dale Leighty, chairman and president of First National Bank of Las Animas, CoIo., thanked the House of Representatives for adopting the resolution. "It's wonderful that Congress appreciates our industry's efforts," Leighty said.