Barbara Lawlor, Nederland. Last Wednesday, Centennial Bank employee Carrie Lake painstakingly poked lollipops into a bowl, layer by layer, symmetrical, with candy orbs level on the outside, creating a flower arrangement effect. She takes the time every week, making what could have been a toss of suckers into a container, a fun way to give out treats to customers.
This is how Centennial Bank in Nederland works. They pay attention to their customers, they go out of their way to make them feel welcome and appreciated and they just plain care about the people they work with and serve. Their customers are friends and neighbors and are involved in the same groups and projects that every one of the employees is involved with.
Centennial is the epitome of a community bank.
That’s why they want to get the message out that although they have a new name and are owned by another company, Carrie will still make lollipop bowls and the bank tellers will still remember your name and ask how your kids are.
Centennial Bank is now Centennial Bank and Trust. While the name is changed slightly and the bank will sport a new look and feel this spring, it’s business as usual in Nederland.
Centennial Bank’s parent company, CIC Bancshares, Inc. was acquired by Heartland Financial USA, Inc. in February. Centennial Bank merged with Summit Bank & Trust in Broomfield and is now operating throughout Colorado as Centennial Bank and Trust with 17 banking locations, including the Nederland branch.
New products and services will be launched in June when the bank’s computer system conversion is complete. Routing numbers will not change and customers’ existing Centennial Bank checks can continue to be used.
Customers will continue to experience the same local banking service at Centennial Bank and Trust.
Susan Schneider, Banking Center Manager, says that Heartland is so much larger, that with this merge, the 12 small banks that are part of the company will be able to hire one person to oversee the administrative positions, rather than each bank having to hire their own. “This will be more economical and cuts the expense for us.”
Otherwise, “It’s the same smiling faces here at the bank that customers are used to seeing,” says Susan Schneider, Banking Center Manager. “You can expect the same great service from our bankers and some enhanced offerings, including wealth management, mortgage banking, annuities, and investment products. We are looking forward to rolling out these new products and services to our clients over the next few months.”
It’s kind of like the bar in the Cheers sitcom in which “everybody knows your name.” A good place to do financial business, pick up a lollipop and a treat for the dogs and say hi to other members of the community.”
