A sign of strength
<span>With a snip of the scissors, the new First National Bank of Steeleville building officially opened for business on Monday.</span>
<span>According to CEO Robert Koopman, staff members moved into the new facility (located at 400 W. Broadway Street) during the weekend. Koopman noted First National Bank of Steeleville was founded in 1902 and has been a community bank ever since.</span>
<span>"First of all, the building we were in was built in 1936 and there's been six additions or more since that time," Koopman told the Herald Tribune. "So, it's not very efficient and not very functional.</span>
<span>"We wanted to build a building much more efficient that should last that long or longer and give better service to our customers."</span>
<span>"It's a great addition," said Steeleville Mayor Bob Sutton prior to Monday's ribbon cutting ceremony. "It's great for the people working here and it's a complete new look.</span>
<span>"I love it."</span>
<span>Asked what the new building says about Steeleville, Sutton said it shows the town is headed in the right direction.</span>
<span>"I would hope it gives a message to other people around, businesses and that, that Steeleville's progressing," he said.</span>
<span>Designed by The LaMacchia Group of Milwaukee, Wisc., the new facility measures 20,075 square feet and is designed to accentuate natural lighting while also bringing a modern feel to the banking experience.</span>
Groundbreaking for the new building occurred on August 25, 2014.
<span>"We wanted a building that we felt showed strength, community presence and the same time having features that would appeal to all age groups," Koopman said. "We put as much light into the building that they could without creating undue heat.</span>
<span>"The way the building faces, it will only get the morning sun and the south side has few windows."</span>
<span>Koopman noted that the new facility will feature "cash recyclers," machines that work in connection with the teller software system.</span>
<span>"When customers withdraw money, deposit money, that happens automatically," Koopman said. "The teller will still count the currency, of course, but everything is automatic.</span>
<span>"I don't know how many banks have that in the area. It's a new concept."</span>
<span>Koopman noted that St. Louis-based Huffman Security trained the bank's staff on the new machines.</span>
<span>"We're hoping everyone will like it and it's a step forward for us," Koopman said. "Currency tends to get wrinkled and dirty, so you have to be careful when using it.</span>
<span>"There's rollers and other things that grab the currency and those have to be cleaned frequently."</span>
<span>In regard to the old building, located across the street at 319 W. Broadway St., Koopman said plans are to demolish the structure.</span>
<span>"We will probably be demolishing this building to provide space for someone in the future if someone needs a smaller building," he said. "We're right in the middle of the village, so it could be useful for someone."</span>
<span>Koopman noted staff will be keeping some items from the old facility for historical reasons.</span>
<span>"We're all very excited to be moving into a new facility and we hope that all the customers in the community will be as excited as well," he said.</span>
<span>The bank will have a grand opening on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with an open house. Refreshments will be served, with customers getting a chance to register for prizes.</span>
<span>Employees will also be available for walkthroughs.</span>