Outside on the front steps of the new bank, a
branch of the First National Bank in Tremont, bank board members,
New Holland Staff and the bank President June Kidd gathered behind
the ribbon for the ceremony.
Joining Kidd behind the ribbon were Tremont Bank board members
including President Jim Sommer, Ric Brenneman, Dr. Brock Butts,
Connie Boyle, and Jim Shafer. New Holland staff behind the ribbon
included Branch Manager Tyler Hodge, Annie Coers, Lesley Bridge,
Diana Wagner and Dawn Beaven.
Also on hand was New Holland staff member Lindsey Guy, who was
recording the cut for the bank; and Tremont Marketing Director Joyce
Wassell, and Tremont Bank Business Development Scott McCoskey, who
were manning the phones inside so New Holland staff could be
outside. Lincoln Daily News staff Karen Hargis and Lisa Ramlow held
the ribbon while Nila Smith acted as emcee for the event.
Guests were invited to come outside with the ribbon cutters to
witness the event, and line the sidewalk around the bank entrance.
The first to be introduced was Kidd who addressed the group only
briefly. Kidd had requested that she be permitted to introduce
Branch Manager Hodge. She thanked everyone for attending and said
she was very excited to see the turnout on a day that was a very
exciting day for Tremont Bank.
She said that she wanted to say no more but would step aside and
turn the speeches over to Hodge. Before doing so she noted that
Hodge and the staff at New Holland had done an amazing job in the
transition from the old bank to the new. She also noted that when
the new brand is opened in Lincoln, Hodge will become the regional
manager over both banks.
Thanking everyone for coming, Hodge said there were many that needed
to be recognized including the contractor for the building
construction along with all the subcontractors. He said he wanted to
thank his staff.
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He noted that as construction was ongoing he was
traveling back and forth from the old bank to the new, and focusing
on the project at hand. Staff he said had stepped up and helped him
tremendously.
Hodge gave words of appreciation to the board of
directors for supporting the construction of the new bank and
getting behind the project completely. He then noted that he was
appreciative to New Holland Mayor Annie Coers and the village board.
He said there was a concern for the future of the old bank when the
new one was built. He was very happy to have had the opportunity to
work with Coers and others, to give the old building back to the
town. He is also excited to see what the town has planned for the
old building and looks forward to being a part of that as well.
Finally, he thanked bank President Kidd for her total and complete
support of the project. “She laid the foundation for the bank in New
Holland before I became the manager. She is an incredible leader of
our bank on the whole.” Directly to Kidd he added, “Thank you for
having so much trust in me, for letting me be involved as much as I
am. None of this would be possible without you. And finally, thank
you to our customers, very loyal customers, vendors, title
companies, realtors, insurance agents, accountants, bankers
associations, correspondent banks, and I know I’m leaving somebody
out, but it really does take a whole community to make this happen.
It is one of the great things about being a small town, community
bank and something we are thankful for.” Hodge reminded everyone
that there was hot coffee and fresh cinnamon rolls inside. He wanted
everyone to come in and take a tour of the new bank as well, and
noted that this was a template for the bank that will soon be built
in Lincoln.
The final person to address the group was New Holland Mayor Annie
Coers. Coers is also the Business Development Manager at the New
Holland Banking Center. She began by clarifying that she was
speaking on behalf of the village of New Holland. She began by
saying she wanted to “thank June and the Tremont Bank for
brightening a corner in New Holland. We are so excited and blessed.”
The group then posed for pictures with Kidd, Hodge and Coers holding
on to the scissor. With the count-down it was then time to snip the
ribbon on the new bank in New Holland.
Guests then made their way inside to enjoy the new facility and take
advantage of that warm coffee.
[Nila Smith]
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