DECATUR -- Dignitaries and honored guests gathered at noon May 8 to formally open the Grand Savings Branch bank at 352 N. Main St.
Around 50 people, including bank executives and employees, city officials, Decatur School Board members, Decatur Chamber members and area residents, were on hand to participate in the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for the latest in a long line of banks to occupy the site where the first bank was built shortly after the turn of the century. Decatur Mayor Bob Tharp, in his opening remarks, related the history of the banking community in Decatur.
"The first bank, which was next door to the town's blacksmith shop, was the Bank of Decatur and it was founded in 1906," Tharp said. "In 1954 the Decatur State Bank was formed and operated on this location until around 2012 when it changed ownership. Then, in 2015, a struggling little bank from Grove, Okla., which we watched grow over the years, purchased Decatur State Bank. It is now Grand Savings Bank."
Tharp introduced Carla Martinez, the Decatur branch president for Grand Savings Bank. Martinez, a former resident of Northwest Arkansas, expressed her joy at being back in the area among family and friends and pledged to serve the community to the best of her ability.
"We feel privileged to be part of this community," Martinez said. "I love the small-town community banking. I love to treat people the way I want to be treated in similar situations. I welcome each and every one of you to come in, speak with us, see if we could help you open an account, secure a loan, whatever you need. We are here to serve you and your community."
Guy Cable, vice chairman of the board for Grand Savings Bank, seconded everything Martinez said and added that the bank is honored to be part of the Benton County area.
"Decatur is such a wonderful community and we are glad to be a part of it," Cable said." With branches in Siloam Springs, Gentry, and now in Rogers and Bentonville, we now feel complete."
Then Martinez, who was armed with the city of Decatur ceremonial scissors, and Margo Barnes, Decatur Chamber of Commerce president, gathered at the main entrance of the bank, along with bank officials, community leaders and customers to cut the red ribbon.
Afterward, employees of Grand Savings Bank hosted a barbecue for the community.
Grand Savings Bank's Decatur office has lobby and drive-in service open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. Drive-in service is also open from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday. For more information, visit www.grandsavingsbank.com or call 752-3281.
General News on 05/13/2015