The Callaway Bank remodels

Kim Barnes, president/CEO of The Callaway Bank, and Jeff Jones, senior vice president, pose at the newly remodeled South Fulton Branch.
Kim Barnes, president/CEO of The Callaway Bank, and Jeff Jones, senior vice president, pose at the newly remodeled South Fulton Branch.

People driving by the Callaway's Bank's south location in Fulton will see the back-lit image of a winding tree, the local institution's logo.

"At night time, when you drive by, it just glows," said Debbie LaRue, the bank's vice president, director of marketing and public relations.

The illuminated tree is just part of the appeal of this branch on South Business 54. The whole building has had a face lift, with the goal of making it a place their customers feel comfortable visiting.

Some customers feel more comfortable at the downtown offices where they are greeted by teller "islands." The south branch has a more traditional feel, with a bank of tellers and a softly lit lobby.

"We wanted to be careful and keep opportunities for people to choose," said Kim Barnes, president and CEO.

For example, the south branch has a big parking lot and easily accessible front door, and is a favorite of the community's older customers.

Off the lobby are two unassigned offices where people can shut the door and talk. One is decorated in honor of William Woods University; the other, Westminster College.

"This is an example of a connection room," Barnes said. "We can bring people in here for private conversations. These offices are not assigned to anyone."

The remodeling, headed up by Jeff Jones, senior vice president and chief communications officer, started in October.

"We were open the whole time," he said, adding rooms in the front of the building were remodeled first - including a community room. "Then we created temporary teller islands while we did the back."

The interior is done in earth tones, with local framed photography by artist Notley Hawkins. With his camera, he captured illustrations representative of Callaway County.

"Our contractors were awesome," Barnes added. "We made a point, as we always do, to select local contractors. We sure try hard to make this a priority."

Bank officials celebrated a ribbon cutting Wednesday, but the idea for a different style of banking services had its origins four years ago.

"The central point that makes it all work is, starting in 2015, we started implementing a new staffing model," Barnes said. "We wanted bankers that could do everything and work anywhere. We wanted to embrace this concept of the universal banker."

That would mean less waiting for customers, too. Developing these well-rounded skills in the bank's workforce couldn't help but be good for the people they are trying to serve.

"You just have to get your hands wrapped around adaptability," Barnes added. "It's a better client experience. And we're starting to see the results of that."

The Callaway Bank's main branch is on Court Street in downtown Fulton. There is the full-service south Fulton branch, and a drive-through on the north side of Fulton where an ATM machine is going to be placed.

Three more branches serve Columbia residents, and there are banks in Ashland and Mokane, as well.

"We love our community," Barnes added. "We're local, and we make our decisions here."

To Barnes, serving her community is what she's all about.

"We just try," she said.