Bank of the Valley set to open new Platte Center location

PLATTE CENTER -- An open house at the new Bank of the Valley in Platte Center scheduled from 1-4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 2, will mark completion of the bank’s move from it’s original building at 324 Fourth St. The bank’s newly constructed facility is located at 103 Fourth St. in Platte Center.

The first day of operation in the new bank will be Thursday. Construction was started in January by Shelby Lumber.

Highlights of the open house include a drawing for a flat screen TV, two tickets to the Nebraska vs. Colorado football game Nov. 28, plus a one-night stay at the Holiday Inn in downtown Lincoln and parking passes for the game.

“The adult drawings are for people 18 or older,” said Jamie Meyer, loan officer. “There will also be drawings for one $100 and two $50 savings bonds for the kids

The new building features a drive-through window, night deposit box, an ATM, several offices, a meeting/board room and a time and temperature sign.

“A new state-of-the-art, self-contained vault system has been installed along with a more secure night deposit box and a new camera/surveillance system,” Meyer said.

The original building, built in 1901, housed the Platte County Bank. The bank became the Platte Center Bank in 1944.

Bank of the Valley purchased the bank in August 2007 adding the branch to others located in Bellwood and David City.

The bank employs three individuals and will add employees as the growth of the bank dictates.

The total assets of Bank of the Valley’s three branches, located in Bellwood, David City and Platte Center exceed $55 million.

“The new bank construction in a community this size is a big deal,” said Korlin Lutt, vice president of the Platte Center branch. “We’re happy that Bank of the Valley has such a strong connection and commitment to Platte Center.”

Lutt, speaking to the recent volatility of the financial markets, said: “I think we can be assured by the fact that the economy here in the Midwest is based on strong local farming communities. It seems to me there are jobs for those who want to work.

“In the short term, I don’t think this economic downturn will affect us too much.”