Legence Bank makes its Johnston City debut

JOHNSTON CITY - Legence Bank brought its ice cream social bar to Johnston City last Wednesday afternoon to celebrate its ribbon cutting marking the official opening of its new branch there.

Johnston City mayor Jim Mitchell told a group of about 16 city officials and local residents that he welcomes a relationship with the new bank.

"We're glad to have them come to town," Mitchell said. "It wasn't so long ago that we couldn't even buy a police car unless I co-signed for it."

Mitchell said adding a locally-owned financial institution to the city will certainly support continued growth.

"Today, we realize an organizational dream and long term growth goal of strengthening our footprint in the southern Illinois market," said Kevin Beckemeyer, President and CEO of Legence Bank, in a media release last week. "The addition of eight branches will open a natural market extension where are our team will continue providing excellent service, along with convenient personal and business banking solutions to our customer and communities we serve."

Beckemeyer also noted several community-based programs he believes will impact the small community, including one education program that aims to teach high school students basic financial skills. "We look forward to being a part of the community," he said.

The Eldorado-based company, First Eldorado Bancshares, Inc., recently acquired eight new locations in the southern Illinois area from MidCountry Bank. The branches have approximately $146 million in deposits and bring Legence Bank's assets to nearly $450 million.<object id="Extra Pictures" type="x-im/image" uuid="258891C3-391C-4F8E-B8F3-ED3AA65E4A3B"><links><link rel="self" type="x-im/image" uri="im://image/258891C3-391C-4F8E-B8F3-ED3AA65E4A3B.jpg" uuid="258891C3-391C-4F8E-B8F3-ED3AA65E4A3B"><data><title><![CDATA[