While the bank has a new name and location, the same great services and staff will greet you at the door like family. Western Nebraska Bank in Purdum, previously Purdum State Bank, had been located in Purdum since 1914 when the bank was first established. In 2012 Western Nebraska Bank (WNB) assumed the deposits and assets of Purdum State Bank, but the bank remained in Purdum before the decision was made to move to Thedford.
WNB Vice President and Thedford Branch Manager Michelle Milleson, said the Purdum bank was a staple of the community.
“It’s always been there, it’s always been a staple, it’s something people were used to and it’s kind of nice to have that bank in such a small town and see the people in the community each and every day,” said Milleson.
While the history of the bank is something that will not be forgotten, Milleson said that it became apparent that it was time to move due to the road and the advantage of being centrally located in Thedford.
“I grew up in Purdum,” Milleson said. “Purdum is my home and I know that means a lot to those people up there, but I also know that people did not enjoy the Purdum Road. I feel being on the highway in Thedford is going to allow a lot more of our customer base to stop in.”
There are currently five staff members at the Thedford branch that made the move with the bank and bring with them over 70 years of experience. Michelle Milleson, VP and Branch Manager (32 years), Karyn Seeley, Operations Officer and Cashier (24 years), Rachel Cox, Debit Card and Online Specialist (7 years), Reed Larsen, AVP and Lender (6years), and Breanne Bannan, Customer Service Specialist and Loan Clerk (3 years).
Located on the north side of Highway 2/83 just east of the overpass near Thedford, the Western Nebraska Bank Branch offers a number of services that were not available in Purdum such as a drive-through, night depository, and ATM. Also available are instant debit cards for those who open accounts including Sandhills-Thedford Knight logos on the debit cards allowing fans to show their support of their local team.
Marcy Hunter, Market President and HR Director of WNB, said there are a lot of options of services at the Thedford branch from CDs and savings accounts to mortgage loans and agriculture loans. Hunter also noted that when it comes to the loans, the decisions are made locally.
“You don’t have to wait or have your information sent out of town to get a loan approved,” said Hunter
The WNB Thedford Branch lobby is open from 9 AM – 5 PM Monday through Friday with the drive-through open one hour earlier. For questions about services offered or about opening an account, call (308) 645-2370 or (800) 788-9469.
Milleson said, “I welcome everybody and I hope everybody would stop in and see us and our new building. We’d like to get to know people in Thedford that we may not see all the time and the surrounding communities.”
