Like most businesses, banks want to be where their customers are.
That's why State Bank of West Fargo has established a branch at 5050 13th Ave. S.W., Fargo. The branch -- known as State Bank of West Fargo Times Square -- holds its grand opening over the next few days.
'There's a lot of traffic on 13th Avenue and we wanted to part of that," said Dave Canton, bank president.
The 3,400-square-foot branch is in the Times Square West retail development in front of the Gordman's store. It sits just on the Fargo side of the twisting Fargo-West Fargo boundary.
The branch has eight employees and is managed by Jody Saum, a 20-year bank veteran.
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"We've gotten good response. It's going well," Saum said.
State Bank of West Fargo was incorporated in 1964 and has had its home bank at 409 Sheyenne St. since 1979.
That location, which has 25 employees, has become increasingly busy and bank officials decided that opening a branch would reduce some of the pressure at the home bank, Canton said.
Another consideration: providing more convenient service to bank customers who live or work near 13th Avenue, he said.
"I want to emphasize that Times Square is just a branch," he said. "Our main bank remains open, and we're committed to it."
State Bank of West Fargo became affiliated with State Bank of Fargo in 1989 and State Bank of Moorhead in 1996.
The three locally owned banks are chartered separately. But under mutual agency agreements, customers of one of the banks can do their banking at any of the banks and their branches.
State Bank of Fargo has five locations and State Bank of Moorhead has one, giving the three banks a total of eight locations in Fargo-Moorhead.
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Jonathan Knutson at (701) 241-5530
