Hallsville area residents have a new place to turn with their financial needs.
The Exchange Bank of Hallsville opened its doors this month on Hallsville’s south side.
Exchange Bank’s Brandon Krapfl – branch president and Ty Peckman – vice president, lending, said the opening has been very well received.
August 1, they opened the new bank’s doors and plan a grand opening and Hallsville Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting from 3 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 1.
Both men say they are in the banking business for several reasons, but one stands out. They enjoy building relationships with people and helping them achieve their financial dreams and goals.
Krapfl said when they opened they were surprised how many Exchange Bank customers already lived in the area. Exchange Bank already had five other branches in mid-Missouri, they said, including Fayette and Fulton.
Look at a map of mid-Missouri, Krapfl said. “Banking in this region is basically dominated by a few players. We want to help, to be a community bank in more than just words. We don’t just want to talk the talk, we are walking the walk.”
Part of that, he said, is having loan-making professionals, he and Peckman, in the Hallsville office, not working from a different office and only serving as visiting staff for the Hallsville bank. “We are here whether you need a car loan, a home loan, or a farm loan,” Peckman said. “We are here in Hallsville and are working to be part of the community. You will see us at the games, the events and in the grocery store.”
The framed photos hanging from the lobby walls and meeting rooms are an example of that spirit. They were all made by Hallsville 4-H members and purchased by the bank.
He said the banks policies and procedures, especially regarding loans are written with life in mid-Missouri as a consideration, not based on life in Kansas City or St. Louis.
Krapfl said when they opened they were surprised how many Exchange Bank customers already lived in the area.
At the end of the day it is about maintaining those relationships and building new ones Peckman said.
“We are here to help people achieve their financial goals and dreams, not only as financial advisors but for a wide range of business and life endeavors.”
One of the most important pieces of advice we can give, I want to help somebody, even if ‘no’ is the best answer,” Krapfl said.
Krapfl’s background is in banking.
“A mentor told me I would be good at it,” he said when asked what drew him to banking. “I took a training position with an Iowa bank and fell in love with the business, especially the financial and relationship aspects.”
Peckman said his love of helping people achieve their goals and the business of relationship building is what drew him to banking. “This is a business where I can help people achieve their goals and dreams.
The duo’s short-term goal for the bank, is steady, consistent growth.
Long term, the plan on increasing community involvement and enough business to support an additional lender and more staff.
Currently, Exchange bank employs five full-time staff members and two part-timers. That includes, two lenders, a general banker and two full-time customer service representatives.
The bank’s lobby is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Their drive through service is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and their Saturday hours are 9 to 11 a.m.