Banking Trail…

When I was in my senior year of High School, I was asked by the 2 owners of the original West Chester Savings Bank if I would be interested in a job.  I had discussions about it with my dad.  I was just engaged to my current husband and was on the fence about taking the job or going to college.  I ended up taking the job.  That job was certainly “old time banking ways”.  I learned a ton about banking.  It was just the two owner myself and a couple part timers.  This bank was then purchased by FSB holding company from Kalona.  The original owners both retired.  Suddenly nothing was normal.  Big changes came to this little bank.  We had new management and computer conversions, hours, more employees and building on and remodeling the bank.  I stayed on for another 6 years.  Then we had another management change with same ownership.  Then the ownership changed shortly after I left.

I went to Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank in Lone Tree.  I was there for a year in the bookkeeping area.  I left there and went to Gretter Motor Company for 14 years as the Finance Manager.  Then I was asked by the Farmers Savings Bank of Keota if I was interested in working for them as the Operations Officer.  Yep, I was ready to get back into banking.  What a change banking had made.  It didn’t take long and I was back in the banking groove.  I was then promoted to AVP, Cashier. Eight years later, here we are the Libertyville Savings Bank.

This was rough at many times.  Becoming the Libertyville Savings Bank was the EASY part.  Rumors and questions were the HARD part.  Our customers would come in with all the rumors and many questions.  We as employees knew nothing about what was going on.  It was hard.  We felt like everyone knew and we didn’t.

Finally we knew, Yes we are selling.  However, we didn’t know who was going to purchase us.  We all worried about who, what, when, will we have jobs, just lots of questions.  Finally the day came for the announcement that yes we were sold and to the Libertyville Savings Bank.  I knew Amber and Jill before this.  I felt it couldn’t be any better.  I hoped for a family owned bank and not a larger bank.  We were all relieved.  The purchase still took time to happen.  Waiting on that was rough.  We still didn’t know if we would keep our jobs or how working for LSB would be.  Here we are…..it has been 7 months and what a 7 months it has been!! 

Last August we did the computer conversion.  It all went relatively well.  I became the Office Manager.  Everyone has a job.   Some of them may be different but we have them!  Now as we adjust to all the changes, we willingly help all of our customers adjust.  We are thankful for the many changes and welcome the different structure.  Change is hard for most of us but for the most part, change is a good thing!  Our customers seem to be adjusting well. 

The employees all welcomed us with open arms.  They have been very helpful and patient with all of us.   I have felt a huge relief.  It is great to be a part of an UNSTOPPABLE group of people. 

Thanks to our customers for their patience.  We love learning from their questions!!  : )

Robyn Morgan