New bank gives back in Guttenberg
From left are Rachel Heims, Hannah Von Handorf and Brandon Friedlein, employees at the new Guttenberg branch of Community Savings Bank. (Press photo by Molly Moser)
By Molly Moser
Community Savings Bank merged with The Garnavillo Savings Bank in September of 2015, and this spring opened a new location on Highway 52 in Guttenberg. “We have customers stopping in every day. The word is out in Guttenberg that Community Savings Bank has opened a new office,” said Chad Kreel, vice president of marketing for Community Savings Bank. “Since our opening on April 15, we have helped many customers; some looking for loans or others looking for checking account options.”
The new bank is full service, offering free checking with free checks, free debit cards and free online banking to consumers and businesses. Multiple loan options are available, including personal, agriculture, commercial, auto, home, and private student loans, as well as business services like merchant card processing and business management. Customers also have access to an app that allows them to check balances, make payments, and more.
Community Savings Bank hired three new employees, including Guttenberg resident Brandon Friedlein. Friedlein earned a Bachelor of Arts in Agricultural Business from Upper Iowa University. He has work experience in sales and marketing. Rachel Heims received an Associate of Applied Science degree from Kirkwood College in Financial Services and Accounting. She worked at Community Savings Bank for four years before transferring to Guttenberg. Guttenberg resident Hannah Von Handorf will graduate from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree in real estate and finance.
“We now offer customers the ability conduct their banking right from the seat of their car using our Personal ATM, sometimes called and ITM,” said Kreel. “It offers customers the option to interact with a real person via video from the convenience of your car.” This digital drive-up window features a touch-screen which will connect customers with a real person who can handle banking needs like withdrawals, deposits, bill exchanges, loan payments, and more. “It gives customers the added convenience of never leaving their car and gives our bank the opportunity to provide extended service hours and customer convenience options to make sure our customers return with a smile,” Kreel explained. After hours, the ITM becomes a standard ATM that anyone from any financial institution can use to withdraw cash or check a balance.
Community Savings Bank is contributing more than their banking services to society. They have opted to fully sponsor the Guttenberg Farmers Market this summer. “Community involvement is part of our culture and it is something our employees embrace,” said Kreel. “Farmers markets are becoming very popular in communities and we wanted to make sure our local market could be viable and able to grow to offer customers a good selection of products.”
The bank will pay both seasonal and daily vendor fees this season, and has provided advertising and signage to promote the market. “We are also doing various giveaways throughout the market season and letting people know about our products and services at the market,” Kreel told The Press.
“Community involvement is a huge priority for Community Savings Bank – it’s in our name! Being involved in many aspects of our communities speaks volumes to our employees’ commitment.”
Members of the community are invited to a welcome party on Wednesday, June 29, from 5-8 p.m. at the Marina Visitor Center. For more information, call Guttenberg’s new branch of Community Savings Bank at 563-252-1048 or stop by the office at 502 S. Highway 52 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
