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More than 4,000 people were on hand when this bank opened its doors June 9, 1956.
But it was the one door that didn’t open, the door to the new vault, that got the attention of bank president Edward E. Curtis.
All of its tellers on opening day were women, a first for any Decatur bank. It also was the first to have an adjacent parking lot for its customers, paying interest on any size deposit in a savings account, credit life insurance on all installment loans with no charge to the customer and extended banking hours, including Friday night.
The bank, the city’s fourth and the first to open in 65 years, was the idea of Walter T. Morey. It still operates from its original location along East Eldorado Street, a site purposely chosen to be away from the congested downtown area. Today, it operates six facilities in Macon County, including one on the edge of downtown that used to house the First Federal Savings and Loan. It acquired First Federal and Gem City Savings and Loan in 1990.
In 1999, it purchased the Agricultural Service Division from National City. In 2002, it purchased J.L. Hubbard Insurance and Bonds.
It has had five presidents, with Edmund Arseneault serving the longest, for 23 years.
Name that business.
Think you know the answer to this month’s question? Click here to name that business.
Last month’s answer: Victory Pharmacy
Ten lucky folks were among those responding with the correct answer to last month’s question. They each received a $10 gift certificate from Victory Pharmacy.
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