First State Bank of Italy has a new Face
First State Bank Employees — Mike Boyd, Shani Turner, Robin Donaldson, Barbara Teer, Jennifer Buchanan and Michael Montgomery make up the new team at First State Bank of Italy. (Cindy Sutherland)
When you travel down Main Street downtown Italy you will see a beautiful new bank front on the now First State Bank of Italy. But that is not the only thing new about this bank.
It used to be the Independent Bank but now it is First State Bank of Italy. First State Bank of Rice purchased this branch from Independent Bank out of McKinney. “It is now a branch of Rice although we call it First State Bank of Italy,” explained Mike Boyd (Senior Vice President).
Boyd explained the banks officially changed hands on April the 24th, 2009. That is when Mike assumed the position of Senior Vice President.
There are some very positive changes being made. The banking hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Thursday, Fridays – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and the drive through will be open on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Boyd said, “This is the first time the drive in has been open on Saturday for thirty years. We are doing a lot of updates, the outside of the building got a face lift and we should have our ATM up and running in about 30-45 days. That will be different, people aren’t used to having that here.”
Mike Boyd is no stranger to this bank. When he first started in the banking business, he started out in the collections position, also worked as a teller and worked his way up the ladder at First State Bank of Italy. He worked there for seventeen years and is now back working for the same bank again, only under new ownership. Mike said, “I really just enjoy helping people especially with their financial needs.”
Michael Montgomery is Board President and CEO of First State Bank of Rice. “I was approached back in the summer by Independent Bank on the possibility of my interest in purchasing this branch. It didn’t fit into their marketing plans. There wasn’t anything wrong with their bank they were just focusing more on the Waco market and wanted to sell the branch here in Italy and the one in Hubbard. The one in Italy really fit. Before I would even sign a contract I wanted to hire Mike Boyd and bring him on board for local management. We are currently building two bank buildings, one in Ennis and one in Waxahachie. I am excited about being in Italy. This just fits another part of our structure in Ellis County and we offer real good customer service. I have really, really good employees, we are very customer oriented.”