Midwest BankCentre Plans November 17 Celebration For Debut of First-Ever Full-Service Bank in Pagedale, Mo.

Community Bank Brings Safe and Stable Banking to Under Served Community

ST. LOUIS, MO. (October 24, 2012) – A staple in the St. Louis banking community for more than 100 years, Midwest BankCentre (MBC) plans a Saturday, November 17, 2012 grand opening celebration for the first-ever full-service bank in Pagedale, Mo. The event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will include food, games, prizes and activities for the whole family.

Located at 6810 Page Ave. at the new Rosie Shields Manor Senior Living Facility, the bank will serve businesses and residents in an area previously unbanked and without quality banking options. The new branch opens in early November 2012 and will be led by John R. Shivers, III, vice president of retail banking for MBC. It will employ a team of five and offer a full line of traditional banking products including a “Financial Freedom Suite” of deposit and loan products designed to help families get on the right track to financial independence.

“Our history has been strengthening the communities we serve by providing smart and sensible banking solutions to businesses and families,” says MBC Chairman Ron Barnes. “As a result, we’ve been able to develop long lasting banking relationships, expanding the reach of our business. We look forward to serving many new customers in Pagedale and its surrounding communities.”  

MBC has maintained a prestigious Bauer Financial 5-Star Superior financial rating for 47 consecutive quarters since 2001. The bank also has received the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for ethical business practices and recognition by the Small Business Administration of Eastern Missouri as a Top 10 Community Bank Lender in 2012.

To strengthen the community, MBC will offer free monthly financial education workshops on topics such as budgeting, managing and repairing credit, preventing identity theft and more. It also will partner with Mount Beulah Missionary Baptist Church to share monthly financial fitness courses.

“This is certainly something to celebrate,” says Pagedale Mayor Mary Louise Carter. “Midwest BankCentre’s investment in Pagedale advances the momentum energizing our community.”    MBC’s Pagedale branch is part of the Beyond Housing “24:1 Initiative,” a comprehensive community development model creating a  better life for the families and children living within the 24 municipalities that comprise the Normandy School District. Also part of the initiative is a brand new Save-A-Lot grocery store that sits adjacent to the new bank.

“Midwest BankCentre will provide essential financial services to the Pagedale community and will be a sensible alternative to predatory lending which has plagued the community,” says Chris Krehmeyer, president and chief executive officer of Beyond Housing. “Its services will help residents work toward establishing, building and maintaining financial stability and independence.”

Founded in 1906, Midwest BankCentre(www.midwestbankcentre.com) provides integrated financial services with an expertise in commercial and retail banking, including checking and savings accounts, business cash management, mortgage lending and wealth management. As a community bank, Midwest BankCentre makes decisions on a local level and clients have full access to the executive team. Since 2001, it has consistently achieved the Bauer Financial 5-Star Superior financial rating.