Prairie State Bank & Trust, Virden Branch

By Cindy Ladage

Prairie State Bank & Trust is located just off the Virden Square, at 201 East Jackson Street with the Drive-Up branch on Route 4, at 603 North Springfield Street.

Kierstyn Alexander is the Loan Administrator, and Relationship Banking Specialist, at the Virden location. She is also the leader of the Voyager program available to the fifty and better crowd of bank customers. “The Voyager program offers a variety of trips, bank events as well as a specific checking account which includes many benefits.”

Kierstyn has been with the bank for the past five years, where she started out as a part-time teller at the Virden and Girard locations. When she was ready for more responsibility, she became a teller as well as a loan administrator while still attending college.  Kierstyn anticipates graduating this spring.

Prior to being Prairie State Bank & Trust, the bank was Farmers and Merchants State bank (1910-2007) where it was merged in 2007. In the lobby, customers can enjoy some of the former Merchant’s memorabilia, and some Virden history in a cabinet holding memories from the past.

According to their website, Prairie State Bank & Trust, which has 18 branches throughout Central Illinois, “Prairie State Bank & Trust is the successor to a group of smaller community banks acquired as early as 1968. We merged these banks together over the past 20 years, retaining the best practices and ideas of each and the employees fiercely committed to providing the highest level of customer service.” Virden is one of eighteen Prairie State Bank & Trust branches.  Branches are located across central Illinois, with the farthest south being Farmersville.

Kierstyn talked about how Prairie State Bank & Trust is invested in helping the community.  Employees have opportunities to use their time to volunteer.  A few programs that the Virden location partakes in includes Scholarships for North Mac High School, Socktober (Collecting & matching sock donations for homeless shelters and food pantries) Back to School Drive, and the Angel Tree.

Prairie State Bank & Trust offers an array of services for both consumers and businesses.  “We have several options for Checking and Saving accounts and can help everyone get into the best product for them!  Additionally, we have Money Market Accounts, CD’s, IRA’s, Trusts, Estates, and credit cards. We provide online banking and both consumer and commercial loans along with agriculture with ag lending as well, and even crop insurance We also offer several options for business banking which includes many business-related products as well.  Some special accounts offered are holiday savings and a young saver for customers under twenty.”

The bank off the square is open Monday through Friday from 9-3, with the drive-up facility open Monday through Friday from 8-5, and Saturday from 9 to noon.

When asked if she had any advice for customers with the surge of Cybercrimes and seniors targeted by scammers Kierstyn said, “Ask lots of questions.  The Virden area community is extremely trusting, but these cyber criminals continue to find ways to gather information. If you are ever in doubt, call your bank directly and we can help to answer any questions you might have.”

For parents and guardians, she added, “Start out young.  Getting kids involved in banking is very helpful for the next generation to come. Set a good foundation for financial learning that they can carry through for life. Financial literacy is more than a checking and savings account.   I notice many people do not understand estate planning or where to go to ask questions.  We are here and have had estate planning events in the past and hope to have more in the future. We also have a Trust Department to help with any questions when it comes to Estate and Trust planning.

Prairie State Bank & Trust is a community bank with over $800 million in total assets, over 150 employees and eighteen bank locations throughout central Illinois.  Prairie State Bank & Trust is fully owned by American Central Financial Group, a family-owned bank holding company. American Central Financial Group and Prairie State Bank & Trust are committed to community banking for the long term. If you would like to learn more about Prairie State Bank & Trust and what services they have please visit www.psbank.net, or call 217-965-5496.