On The Edges--Republic

by Dianne Rarick

A new building is going up at 520 E. Elm and State Highway 60 to house Countryside Bank, one of two new banks in Republic. President Jack Muench said the bank opened in a temporary facility June 15 and expects the new 6,000-square-foot building to be completed in January. A group of 25 investors from Republic and the surrounding area formed the new bank.

"We are looking to attract all types of business, both individual consumers and businesses. We handle all types of loans personal, consumer, commercial and real estate," Muench said.

Currently the bank has six full-time employees and one part-time employee. "We plan to add at least one more employee in the coming weeks and probably one or two more after we open in the permanent building," according to Muench.

The one-story building will offer three drive-up lanes, a drive-up ATM, and safety deposit boxes. Countryside Bank's chairman is Charles Spangler, who has been in the banking business in Springfield and southwest Missouri for more than 40 years. Currently, the bank has $8.2 million in deposits and $11.1 million in total assets.