Fidelity Bank & Trust finalizes purchase of County Bank

Dan O'Rourke - County Bank

James Kennedy - Fidelity Bank & Trust

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By J.O. Parker
 
       County Bank customers will notice little if any changes following the acquisition of the bank’s six locations in Poweshiek, Iowa and Keokuk counties by Fidelity Bank & Trust of Dubuque.
       The sale was finalized on Friday, Oct. 17.
       According to Kathy McAllister, chief retail and marketing officer at Fidelity Bank & Trust, all employees will be retained in the same or similar positions at the former County Bank locations.
       “Customers will continue to see the same friendly faces,” said McAllister.
       Former County Bank locations in Deep River, Hartwick and Montezuma will open at 8 a.m. and close at 3 p.m. Locations in Williamsburg and Sigourney will open at 8 a.m. and close at 4 p.m.
        The Gibson location is open by appointment.
        The bank’s ITMs and ATMs will remain the same.
        McAllister noted several new business and consumer products are on the horizon for former County Bank customers. They include time saver deposits allowing business owners to deposit checks electronically from their business using a scanner machine on their desk. Direct deposit payroll through on-line banking will also be available.
        For bank consumers there will be new CD products and on-line account opening with three new reward checking accounts. In addition, customers age 50 or better who maintain a $5,000 relationship with the bank, can join the 5 Star Club.
         The club allows customers to enjoy trips, social activities and holiday parties.
       “The acquisition of County Bank by Fidelity Bank & Trust is an incredible opportunity for the growth of banking services in our communities,” said Dan O’Rourke, President of County Bank. “While this is a bittersweet time for many of our customers, employees, and shareholders, Fidelity Bank & Trust shares the same ideals of community banking as County Bank. Our Board of Directors is extremely pleased that they were able to find a partner like Fidelity Bank & Trust to carry on the strong community banking tradition County Bank has worked so hard to achieve.”
         Fidelity Bank & Trust, a 115-year-old bank, currently has 30 banking locations in eastern Iowa, southwest Wisconsin and western Illinois where their mission is “Making hometown lives better.”
      County Bank was founded in 1884 and has locations in Montezuma, Deep River, Hartwick, Gibson, Williamsburg and Sigourney.
        “We are excited to welcome County Bank into the Fidelity Bank & Trust family,” said James R. Kennedy, Jr., Fidelity Bank & Trust Chairman of the Board. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to community banking, strong customer relationships, and local decision-making,” he said. “Together, we will continue to build on County Bank’s legacy of service while bringing expanded resources and opportunities to the communities they serve.”
         “I think it will be a good fit,” noted McAllister. “It is going to be a great partnership.”