HISTORY OF THE BANK OF WOOD RIVER
WOOD RIVER HAD THREE BANK FAILURES IN 1929 and 1930. EMIL L. THELEN AND OTHER BUSINESS AND FARM LEADERS, REALIZING THE NEED FOR BANKING SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY, INTERESTED ELMER C. HUXTABLE AND THE BANK OF PHILLIPS STOCKHOLDERS TO MOVE THEIR CHARTER TO WOOD RIVER. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED ON AUGUST 11, 1936 WITH DEPOSITS OF $70,000.00. MR. HUXTABLE OPERATED THE BANK THROUGH NOVEMBER 1949 WHEN THE CONTROLLING INTEREST WAS SOLD TO WILL E. AND JAMES I. DEAM FAMILIES. DEPOSITS AT THAT TIME REACHED $720,000.00. THE DEAM FAMILY OPERATED THE BANK UNTIL JULY 1, 1952 WHEN IT WAS SOLD TO THE CHARLES E. MOYER FAMILY. DEPOSITS WERE $750,000.00 AT THAT TIME.
WHILE WORKING IN NORTH PLATTE, STATE BANK EXAMINER CHICK MOYER HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE OF VISITING WITH A FRIEND, PETE HEDGECOCK OF GRAND ISLAND, AT THE WHITE HORSE BAR AT THE PAWNEE HOTEL IN LATE JUNE 1952. AT THIS MEETING, CHICK LEARNED THAT THE BANK OF WOOD RIVER WAS FOR SALE. WITH THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF LYLE F. STONEMAN, VICE PRESIDENT, FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF LINCOLN, THE BANK STOCK WAS PURCHASED.
SINCE 1952 THE BANK'S AFFAIRS HAVE BEEN GUIDED BY THE FOLLOWING DIRECTORS: E. L. THELEN, E. E. BILON, CHARLES E. MOYER, LEO F. THELEN, WILBUR J. McCUMBER, LOUIS E. WELCH, JR., WILLIAM E. LUEHR AND CRAIG MOYER. SINCE 1953 WHEN THE BANK BECAME INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE DEPOSITS HAVE GROWN TO OVER $23,000,000.00.
DURING THESE YEARS, THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BANK HAS TAKEN A VERY ACTIVE INTEREST IN THE WOOD RIVER COMMUNITY AND STRONGLY SUPPORTED BOTH WITH FUNDS AND MANAGEMENT TIME, SUCH PROJECTS AS THE BUILDING PROGRAMS OF SCHOOL DISTRICT #8, THE RESTRUCTURING OF SCHOOL DISTRICT #83 AND THEIR BUILDING PROGRAM, THE WOOD RIVER COUNTRY CLUB FACILITY, AMERICAN LEGION BUILDING PROGRAM, THE GOOD SAMARITAN NURSING CENTER, AND MANY OTHER CIVIC PROJECTS. OUR OFFICERS HAVE ALSO WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH CITY OFFICIALS ON VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. THE BANK OF WOOD RIVER'S GUIDING POLICY IS TO BE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE TO ALL ACTIVITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE CONSTRUCTIVE AND MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BETTERMENT OF LIFE FOR OUR CITIZENS.
THE BANK WHOLEHEARTEDLY ENDORSES THE ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS OF THE WOOD RIVER FOUNDATION AND PLANS TO CONTINUE ITS ANNUAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE FOUNDATION. DURING THIS PERIOD OF GROWTH, THE BANK HAS COMPLETED FOUR REMODELING AND EXPANSION PROGRAMS WITH THE MOST RECENT ADDITION TO THE BANKING OFFICES BEING COMPLETED IN 1985. THE MEETING AND SOCIAL ROOMS ON OUR SECOND LEVEL ARE BEING USED EXTENSIVELY BY MANY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY FOR FARM BUSINESS SEMINARS, WEDDING AND ANNIVERSARY RECEPTIONS, AND TRADE SHOWS.
THE BANK'S POLICY IN FUTURE YEARS WILL FOLLOW THESE SAME GUIDELINES IN PROVIDING QUALITY BANKING SERVICES AND QUALITY BANKING TIES AT REASONABLE COST TO OUR CUSTOMERS THROUGH INDEPENDENT AND LOCAL OWNERSHIP.
CHARLES MOYER, PRESIDENT
BANK OF WOOD RIVER
November 19, 1987