Countryside Bank adds Springfield location

Chartered in Republic and in business since June 15, 1998, Countryside Bank Oct. 1 opened a second branch in Springfield at 3807 S. Campbell Ave.

According to Jack Muench, Countryside Bank's president and chief executive officer, Countryside Bank is privately held by 25 area shareholders and has assets of $46 million.

Countryside Bank already had customers from the Spring-field area prior to opening the South Campbell branch. While the new location will be more convenient for those customers, "It also provides additional convenience for our customers that we already have down in the Republic, Billings and Clever area, because so many of those people work or shop or go to entertainment in the Springfield area, too," Muench said.

Another factor in the bank's decision to open the new branch, Muench said, is the fact that many of the bank's management-team members have experience and established relationships in Springfield.

Countryside's management team comprises Muench, Charles Spangler, chairman; Kenneth L. Fitzpatrick, executive vice president; Ilene Glenn, vice president; Cliff Ricketts, commercial lending officer; and Shari L. Crews, cashier.

Muench said the management team is dedicated to community banking lo-cally owned banks with local management and headquarters in the communities they serve.

On the management team, "we've got over 160 years of commercial banking experience. But of that 160 years, over 120 of it has been with community banks," Muench said.

"It makes a difference in our philosophy of how we deliver the services. Since we're located in the community, our success is tied directly to the success of this community," he said.

Growth

Since opening in October, Muench said that many new accounts have been opened at the Springfield branch, and Countryside's main branch in Republic has exceeded its growth projections since opening in 1998.

Countryside Bank doesn't have any plans for additional branches at this time, he added.

Muench works primarily from the Republic branch, typically spending one day a week at the Springfield location.

Economically, Muench said, thus far, Countryside's customer base hasn't been significantly affected by the weakening economy.

"Although we expect that we could see more of (an effect) if it continues," he added.

Full-service banking

Countryside Bank is a full-service commercial bank, offering traditional banking services such as loans, savings accounts and checking accounts. Coun-tryside also offers automated teller machines, and Muench said the next service added for Countryside customers likely will be home banking via the Internet.

"I think the products and services that virtually all the banks provide are very similar," Muench said. "About the only thing you can do to separate you from the crowd is just in the way that you deliver those services."

He added that in addition to being convenient, it's also important to be friendly.

"Our goal is to be in a position where if any of our customers have a question or problem of a financial nature ... or if they have a problem with their account at the bank, they know the name of the person that they need to call at the bank, so they don't have to worry.

"... They already have somebody that they're familiar with ... even if it's just a teller ... so they can at least get started in getting some help with their question," Muench said.

All of the bank's employees work to build trust with customers, he said. At the Springfield branch, Countryside Bank has seven full-time and two part-time employees.