Banks rebuild in damaged communities

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The storms of May 4 weren't enough to break the bank. |ret||ret||tab|

Springfield area banks have expanded into communities throughout the state, and as a result, local operations are feeling the impact of the tornado damage from miles away. The response, however, is positive and immediate.|ret||ret||tab|

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Mid-Missouri Bank|ret||ret||tab|

"We are rebuilding ASAP, no question about that," said Diane Mammorella, director of marketing services for Mid-Missouri Bank, the day after a tornado destroyed MMB's Stockton branch.|ret||ret||tab|

Even though the bank was completely destroyed, the bank's vault remained intact in the midst of a pile of rubble. Mammorella said the important information weathered the storm.|ret||ret||tab|

"Computer equipment, day-to-day forms and things like that, all that stuff can be replaced. The things that contain customer information, customers' records and safe deposit boxes, are kept in the vault. Everything is secure," Mammorella said.|ret||ret||tab|

The vault and the ATM are all that remains of the bank. By May 6 the site was cleared and tellers sat outside the bank helping people get to the safe deposit boxes. By May 7 a temporary location was set up at Wood's Supermarket, just south of the square. Federal Protection vendors supplied equipment needed to get the temporary location working. Operating with cell phones and no power, the bank continued to be there for the people, Mammorella said.|ret||ret||tab|

The cost of reconstruction has not been determined, but the bank plans on rebuilding in Stockton, where it has had a location since November 1998. |ret||ret||tab|

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Liberty Bank|ret||ret||tab|

A local competitor in Stockton, Springfield-based Liberty Bank, suffered damage to its roof and water damage to the carpet and furniture at its Stockton facility.|ret||ret||tab|

Keran Lemons, senior vice president, said the bank came out of the storm very well considering the damage around it. Now the bank will help the community get back on its feet, Lemons said.|ret||ret||tab|

"We are dedicated to that community, and we'll do whatever is within our powers to help that community rebuild," Lemons said. The bank opened May 5 on a limited basis, working without power and telephones. |ret||ret||tab|

Lemons said the bank, formerly known as the Sac River Valley Bank, had been in the community for 85 years. Liberty Bank purchased the location seven years ago.|ret||ret||tab|

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First State Bank of Purdy|ret||ret||tab|

In Pierce City, another bank is vowing to stick with its community.|ret||ret||tab|

"We are rebuilding, we will stay in the community and continue to help," said Ann Hall, president of First State Bank of Purdy, regarding the bank's Pierce City branch at 100 N. Elm, one block up from Main Street. All the windows and doors were blown out.|ret||ret||tab|

Beyond the cost of repairs, the storms in Pierce City had a human cost for First State when the husband of a bank employee was killed during the storm. Hall said even with the tragedy, the bank, like the town, will continue to look to the future. |ret||ret||tab|

"I've heard some people being very positive saying, Yes, we are going to rebuild.'|ret||ret||tab|

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