Banking comes back to town

By James Card

Premier Community Bank will open a Weyauwega branch in the former BMO Harris bank building.

They have received approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and are expecting approval from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions in the next couple weeks.

After that last approval is confirmed, “Coming Soon” signs will be placed outside the building.

“Once we heard that BMO Harris was leaving we started our work,” said Robin Christian, Premier’s senior vice president of retail operations.

Premier plans to have the bank open by the end of September.

A temporary wall will be installed to reduce the size of the large lobby and in the next year more remodeling is planned. The drive-through will remain operational.

Hutchinson Insurance shares the same building and they will remain in their offices.

The bank will provide standard financial services such as checking and savings accounts, mortgages, insurance and investments.

Business hours have not been decided yet but it will Monday through Friday and possibly drive-up service on Saturday.

“We have a number of customers in that area as it stands in already and it will add to the convenience for those customers,” said James Dietzler, vice president of commercial/agricultural lending.

He works with farmers and has been asked many times by prospective customers if Premier would ever consider moving into the area.

Premier Community Bank is based in Marion and has branches in Waupaca, Bear Creek, Fremont, Iola, Manawa, Pulaski, Tigerton, Winneconne and Shawano.

“We are very pleased the opportunity to serve and support the Weyauwega community. Me personally, I live in Weyauwega so I am excited my employer will be going into the community to support them,” said Nikki Schroeder, vice president of retail services.