MONROE - The Woodford State Bank is marking its 100th anniversary this year.
Started by Cecil Gilmore in 1915, Woodford State Bank began as a single bank in Woodford with only seven employees. Now headquartered in Monroe, the bank today also has branches in Argyle, South Wayne and Blanchardville.
"(The bank) just continued to get greater market shares and footprints beyond Woodford and Monroe," said Woodford State Bank President and CEO Scott DeNure.
Currently, there are four banks across Green and Lafayette counties in Monroe, Blanchardville, Argyle, and South Wayne.
Woodford managed to keep its doors open during difficult times nationally, including during the Great Depression and economic crisis in the 1970s.
"It has always been profitable," DeNure said.
DeNure started working for the company in 1984 as a teller and a loan officer. The South Wayne-native became president in 2000.
Julie Davis, vice president of deposit operations, has seen many changes in the 22 years she has worked for the company.
"There's growth in the (company's) future outlook which is technology driven," she said.
For example, the bank is looking into mobile banking which allows users to do all of their banking on smartphones. The company is already halfway there by allowing customers to do all of their banking online at a computer, she said.
While the company is growing technologically, employees are still writing out receipts by hand which will hopefully change soon, Davis said.
"We're not quite there yet, but I see that in (the bank's) future."
On Friday, the bank will be hosting an anniversary commemoration ceremony where the bank will be presented a 100th year plaque. There will be food, ice cream and door prizes for customers between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Started by Cecil Gilmore in 1915, Woodford State Bank began as a single bank in Woodford with only seven employees. Now headquartered in Monroe, the bank today also has branches in Argyle, South Wayne and Blanchardville.
"(The bank) just continued to get greater market shares and footprints beyond Woodford and Monroe," said Woodford State Bank President and CEO Scott DeNure.
Currently, there are four banks across Green and Lafayette counties in Monroe, Blanchardville, Argyle, and South Wayne.
Woodford managed to keep its doors open during difficult times nationally, including during the Great Depression and economic crisis in the 1970s.
"It has always been profitable," DeNure said.
DeNure started working for the company in 1984 as a teller and a loan officer. The South Wayne-native became president in 2000.
Julie Davis, vice president of deposit operations, has seen many changes in the 22 years she has worked for the company.
"There's growth in the (company's) future outlook which is technology driven," she said.
For example, the bank is looking into mobile banking which allows users to do all of their banking on smartphones. The company is already halfway there by allowing customers to do all of their banking online at a computer, she said.
While the company is growing technologically, employees are still writing out receipts by hand which will hopefully change soon, Davis said.
"We're not quite there yet, but I see that in (the bank's) future."
On Friday, the bank will be hosting an anniversary commemoration ceremony where the bank will be presented a 100th year plaque. There will be food, ice cream and door prizes for customers between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.