Siouxland Woman, October 2017 | BY ERIN SANDAGE

WHAT IF your banker could approve your home equity loan, help you buy a car and then cash a personal check? It would mean faster, more efficient service with a more personal feel. Central Bank’s newest branch in Dakota Dunes, SD will provide this kind of one-on-one, concierge-type service for its customers.

“Our passion lies in building the relationship beyond the transaction,” said Jessika Evans, branch manager for the new Dakota Dunes location. “Each client will be personally assisted by one banker from the time you walk in the door until you leave, and that same individual will be there to follow up with you later.”

Central Bank is calling these bankers “Relationship Bankers” because their focus is to build and maintain a personal relationship with each customer. They are part of the new way of banking that Central Bank will provide at its Dakota Dunes branch.

“The person that you walk in and see, that’s who you will be working with. You won’t need to wait or travel to a different location. Our relationship bankers will be cross-trained in all facets of banking,” Jessika elaborated.

To help facilitate this type of service, the branch will utilize teller pods, instead of a traditional teller line. These pods allow the banker to stand next to the customer, instead of behind a counter. Each pod is also equipped with cash recyclers. That means there are no cash drawers. Cash is deposited and dispensed through a computerized machine, making exchanges quicker and more efficient, allowing the bankers to really talk to their customers.

“The focus is on the client and getting to know them on a personal level, which can lead to how we can help them financially,” explained Jessika. “It’s our job to ask questions to help our clients identify what their financial needs might be.”

The lobby of the Dakota Dunes branch, located at 400 Gold Circle Drive, will also look entirely different from a traditional bank. It will feel more like a coffee shop, complete with tables and chairs and guest WiFi. This will play perfectly with building neighbor Stone Bru, a local coffee shop. Along with the latest technology, like a fully-interactive, 80-inch touchscreen, this banking style could be something Central Bank decides to convert some of its legacy locations to in the future.

Founded in Storm Lake, Iowa in 1877, Central Bank stayed a hometown bank until 1990 when brothers Tim and John Brown purchased it and began to add more locations. The bank has been in Sioux City for 16 years.

“The first Sioux City location started as a de novo bank, which means it started with nothing besides a few employees,” explained Jessika. “It started at $0 in assets and now has $365 million in assets for all three Sioux City locations.”

That type of growth can be attributed to the fact the Central Bank is still a hometown bank. It is family-owned and emphasizes a work/life balance for its employees. In fact, for the last four years, Central Bank has been recognized as one of Iowa’s top workplaces. Every location has decision makers. There is no huge corporation that the branches need to answer to. That allows Central Bank’s employees to completely focus on its customers.

“Our customers come first. Everything we do, we do with the customer in mind. From the services we offer to the locations, it is all based on our customers’ needs,” shared Jessika.

One of those needs was to add a branch in Dakota Dunes, where a lot of Central Bank’s customers either live or work. For example, “Central Bank offers a unique Physicians Program that offers lending and banking solutions to physicians from the time of their residency to when they start their practice,” explained Laurie Beardsley, mortgage loan officer for the new location.

With the addition of the Dakota Dunes branch – which is Central Bank’s first South Dakota location – the bank has 16 branches. That’s reason to celebrate.

Central Bank has planned numerous events to introduce this new location to its customers and the community. October 16-20 is a week-long grand opening celebration with giveaways, product specials, tours and more. The open house and ribbon cutting is Wednesday, October 18 from 5-7 p.m. M’s on 4th will provide hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, plus there will be live music by Mike Langley, and fireworks will finish off the evening at 7. On Friday, October 20, Central Bank is hosting a food truck and paper shredding event from 11-1, featuring Dagas on Wheels and Document Depot. And, lunch is on the bank!

“We invite everyone to come out and see our new location,” invited Jessika. “Our people are what sets Central Bank apart.”