Humansville latest branch site for Citizens Home Bank

by Karen E. Culp

SBJ Staff

Citizens Home Bank has a new home in Humansville.

The branch opened Sept. 1. Citizens Home Bank is owned by John K. Hulston and his family. Hulston, who now serves as chairman of Citizens Home Bank, got his start in banking when he purchased the Bank of Ash Grove in his hometown 40 years ago. He still owns the Bank of Ash Grove, which also has a branch in Walnut Grove, and he owns the Bank of Billings.

Hulston, a Springfield attorney who has practiced law here for 53 years, has focused on giving customers in the markets his banks serves the option of a local company.

"Most of our banks are in county seats or small towns that have an agricultural background. ... We want to be able to serve those customers who want a choice other than banking with a large holding company bank," Hulston said.

Citizens Home Bank has its home office and main bank in Greenfield, where the bank is the oldest in Dade County, Hulston said. The bank now has six branches, located in Willard, Weaubleau, Fair Play, Lockwood, Stockton, and now, Humansville.

The Bank of Ash Grove and Bank of Billings are separate corporations and not branches of Citizens Home, but share ownership, Hulston said. The chief operating officer for the Bank of Ash Grove is Larry Steeley, and the COO at the Bank of Billings is Fred Lutz.

All Citizens Home branches have a full line of services, but none perform trust services, Hulston said. The Humansville bank has five full-time employees