News

 

Wilcox Elected Director At Large at ICBA National Convention

San Diego, Calif. March 23, 2011 — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced the election of its 2011-12 Executive Committee during the 2011 ICBA National Convention and Techworld in San Diego.  Noah W. Wilcox, president, CEO and vice chairman of Grand Rapids State Bank was elected Director At Large. 

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America, the nation’s voice for community banks, represents nearly 5,000 community banks of all sizes and charter types throughout the United States and is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and the communities and customers we serve. For more information, visit www.icba.org.

 

Grand Rapids State Bank relies on 97 years of integrity to persevere

Article taken from The Herald Review - March 16, 2011

Grand Rapids State Bank has been serving the Grand Rapids area for 97 years, since 1914.  The bank currently employs approximately 60 people.  President and CEO Noah W. Wilcox is the fourth generation of his family to lead Grand Rapids State Bank.

Wilcox explained that the economic downtown, which started to take shape back in 2008, has evolved into the most dramatic recession since the Great Depression.

"Compounding that fact for Grand Rapids State Bank is the difficulties that have faced the banking industry. With our long history we have the benefit of a great deal of acquired business experience and have been able to draw on that depth of knowledge while navigating current circumstances," said Wilcox. "With a thorough understanding of what was happening we successfully managed our business as the economy began to slide and that has allowed us to continue to serve the needs of our customers without any significant changes to the overall delivery model. We have not had a need to downsize the business as a result of economic challenges, and are a proud and significant employer in the Grand Rapids area."

During this time, Wilcox said Grand Rapids State Bank has successfully maintained morale among employees - "however, not without extra effort."

"Each member of our team has a life outside of the office and nearly all know a person that has been directly affected by the economic downturn, in many cases it is family or friends. So with more effort required at work to produce the same product, largely due to increased regulation, there are outside factors that weigh on a person's mind as well," explained Wilcox. "We have updated work areas, we meet monthly as an entire staff and many have developed close, and thereby supportive, friendships with co-workers and teammates. All of these factors help lift morale. We, as a company, a community and as a country are in this together and I believe it will take all of us to emerge from the current economy in one piece."

According to Wilcox, most of the changes in the banking business that coincide with the current economy are a result of greater regulation due to the economy and the banking crisis.

"When Wall Street abused the taxpayers of America, we all unfortunately paid," said Wilcox. "Now as we dig out of the economic rubble and state government and federal government look to tax small businesses and individuals to pay for the sins of Wall Street and ineffective public policy the real question will be whether we will be allowed to thrive and manage our business or if small businesses will be legislated out of business."

Wilcox says the key to sustainable business is "trust, honesty and a connection to those who use your products and services."

"After 97 years in the business the Wilcox family has learned a thing or two. One is that to get this far in the business your integrity has to be impeccable, in other words your actions must allow for public trust. If not you don't last for 97 years. There is a need for a high degree of integrity being in the financial services business alone, but bankers are held to a higher standard in almost every regard. By being honest with customers, the community, local, state and federal government, the ability to manage and grow the business overtime is more likely to be successful. At the end of the day, to be successful you need to know and understand your customer and they need to know, understand and trust you. Without those ingredients long term success is less likely to take place."

Grand Rapids State Bank is located at 523 NW 1st Avenue Grand Rapids, MN 55744; and online at grsb.com

 

 

GRSB Helps St. Joseph's Build A New School

 

Father Jerry Weiss, Pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, signs the papers to close on a loan from the local area banks to construct a new Educational and Faith Formation structure at the present site of St. Joseph's Church. Looking on are, from left: Allen Liestman, Grand Rapids State Bank, Rochelle Wimmer, Abstract Service Company, Fr. Weiss, and standing, Denny Roy, chairman of the St. Joseph's finance council. Construction is to begin in early July 2010, with the school opening in the fall of 2012.