State Bank of Taunton branches to Marshall

The State Bank of Taunton is branching out to Marshall and will fully operation by May 1.
The new bank, which already dons the State Bank of Taunton signage on the front and sides of the building, is located at 118 W. College Drive in Marshall. The building formerly housed the Marshall Chamber of Commerce.
Doug DeSmet of Minneota, the Vice President of the State Bank of Taunton, will be the branch manager at the new Marshall location.
"Our bank is pleased to have Doug as the new branch manager," said President Duane Peterson. "Doug has several years of prior banking experience and has been a wonderful addition to the Taunton team. His leadership and management skills are a great asset to the banking world, and he will be a faithful leader in the Marshall community."
The building was leased from Knochenmus Enterprises.
"We were able to make several changes," said DeSmet. "We had to install a vault and updated the lighting, furnace, air conditioning and made the bathrooms ADA compliant."
Hours of operation will be the same as at the bank in Taunton. One difference, though, is that safe deposits boxes will not be offered at the Marshall location.Currently, the bank in Marshall is being fitted with a drive-up window in the back (west) of the building.
"We might be open for drive-thru service only sometime in April," said DeSmet. "The inside service is expected to be fully operational on May 1. We will be a full-service branch, being able to accept deposits and loans in both locations."
During a conversation one day at work, DeSmet asked Peterson what he wanted to accomplish yet in his career.
"That was shortly after I started working at the bank and Duane said he would really like to see the bank expand," DeSmet recalls. "Since then, that thought has been carried with me. It was through a relationship with a friend and client that the idea and concept for adding a branch in Marshall came together. Without this relationship and partnership, I don't think this would be happening right now."
Both DeSmet and Peterson expressed excitement about the new branch.
"I personally think this is a really exciting opportunity," DeSmet said. "The State Bank of Taunton has been established since 1905 and has always had a single location."
There will be five employees at the Marshall branch, including DeSmet.
"Doug feels that being a good leader is driven by the need to have the ability to recognize that strengths and knowledge his team can bring and then determine what goals they can accomplish together," Peterson said. "The banking team that Doug has assembled contains several knowledgeable, friendly, and dedicated staff and I know they will all be a welcome addition to the Marshall facility."
The State Bank of Taunton Management and Board of Directors have been supportive of the move to Marshall, while continue to serve customers in Taunton.
"We are encouraged to continue to keep headquarters in Taunton where our roots got started," said DeSmet. "We are dedicated to holding tight to fundamental banking by building relationships. We are not out to compete with the bigger banks for the lowest cost. However, we offer a hometown banking atmosphere with a staff ready to support and partner with farmers, small business owners, and families to achieve the goals and live out their purpose."
Peterson said the State Bank of Taunton already had many customers from Marshall and the surrounding area.
"We look forward to serving those residents and businesses from a Marshall location," he said. "We are continuing with the values prevalent in small town America. Our bank has been blessed with the ability to support several local communities with their banking needs and by supporting various other community projects."