American Bank & Trust brings more than 130 years of banking experience to Lennox.
Kevin Petoske, American Bank & Trust chief growth officer, said the bank started in Alpena 131 years ago. It has been a big presence in central South Dakota but has since branched out to other areas. They opened their bank in Sioux Falls in 2016.
They’ve also opened banks in Watertown, Aberdeen and Worthington, Minn., where they started by building a banking team, built a bank and then built their customer base. The last acquisition before purchasing Valley Exchange Bank was in 2018 when they bought banks in Stickney, Iroquois, and Carthage.
Bill Kuhl started as the market president in Lennox in October. He brings nearly 30 years of banking experience and has held a similar role in the past. For the past nearly 14 years, he has lived in Minnehaha County and worked at another bank in the area.
“Having grown up in agriculture and spending more than 28 years in banking, I genuinely understand your needs. My priority is to listen, see things through your eyes and assist in finding the right solution for you. My aim is to support you in reaching your life’s financial goals,” he said.
He aims to help customers by being present in the bank every day unless he’s in training or out seeing customers.
Kuhl came to American Bank & Trust because it is a family-owned bank that has a rich history in the state. They offer a lot of products many small banks in smaller towns do not offer.
“One of the advantages to coming to work here is to be able to offer the customers those products and meet their needs,” he said.
Customer service is important to Kuhl and the bank, along with the five other employees who work at the Lennox branch.
“We’re able to tailor our lending products and a lot of our deposit products to meet customer needs,” he said.
With the switch, customers will continue to see the same universal bankers they have seen over the years. They will also see local community decisions.
Customers will see a lot more banking options. They are now able to do online banking, mobile banking, mobile deposits, e-statements, and online bill pay. They are also able to offer SBA lending, FSA lending, business lending, ag lending, and treasury services.
When customers walk in the bank, they are doing a little work on two of the offices, but the rest will look the same.
Kuhl looks forward to being involved in the community and serving it.
“We’re here to serve the community,” Kuhl said.
“We’re able to tailor our lending products and a lot of our deposit products to meet customer needs,” he said.
With the switch, customers will continue to see the same universal bankers they have seen over the years. They will also see local community decisions.
Customers will see a lot more banking options. They are now able to do online banking, mobile banking, mobile deposits, e-statements and online bill pay. They are also able to offer SBA lending, FSA lending, business lending, ag lending and treasury services. When customers walk in the bank, they are doing a little work on two of the offices, but the rest will look the same.
Kuhl looks forward to being involved in the community and serving it. “We’re here to serve the community,” Kuhl said.
About American Bank & Trust
American Bank & Trust is a $1.6 billion family-owned community bank and celebrated its 130th year serving South Dakota in 2022. The bank has locations in Aberdeen, Carthage, De Smet, Huron, Iroquois, Lennox, Mellette, Miller, Pierre, Sioux Falls (3), Stickney, Tea, Watertown, Wessington Springs, Wolsey, and Worthington, MN. To learn more, visit www.abt.bank.
* Original Post from Lennox Independent – https://www.lennoxnews.com/single-post/american-bank-trust-brings-130-years-experience-to-lennox
