South-central Michigan bank spreads West with new branch in Portage

Coldwater-based Southern Michigan Bank & Trust (SMB&T) has extended its southwestern reach with a new Portage branch -- the first newly constructed LEED-certified bank branch in southwestern Michigan, the bank says.

Now open at 531 W. Kilgore (next to Lowe’s and Earth Fare at the corner of Westnedge and Kilgore), the Portage branch joins SMB&T’s roster of locations across the south-central Michigan area, including offices and branches in Coldwater Battle Creek, Camden, Centreville, Constantine, Hillsdale, Marshall, Mendon, Tekonsha, Three Rivers and Union City.

A grand opening celebration for the Portage branch is scheduled for Fri., May 20, from 3-6 p.m. 

The new branch office is part of a development project led by Roger Hinman and Hinman Companies, and the 2,805-square-foot building was designed and constructed to meet LEED certification requirements (green building standards), the bank says.

Cammy Fleckenstein, formerly of Fifth Third Bank, serves as branch manager of the new Portage location.

Eric Anglin, first vice president of retail banking services and chief deposit officer, says the Portage branch eventually will employ six workers. In addition to Fleckenstein, “we have two full-time Universal Bankers (tellers who can do anything from cashing a check to opening an account to closing certain loan types), two part-time Universal Bankers, and eventually, we’ll hire a part-time courier.” 

Anglin says the site offers two ITM’s (Interactive Teller Machines) that allow customers to complete ATM transactions 24 hours per day, while also providing the ability to speak with a live teller via video screen from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In a June 2015 announcement of the new branch’s construction, SMB&T’s CEO and chairman John H. Castle said the bank was eager to bring its services to the Portage and Kalamazoo area, as “the region is enjoying significant growth and is home to a vibrant business community.” 

SMB&T is a subsidiary of Southern Michigan Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company headquartered in Coldwater. The bank originated in Coldwater in 1872 as Southern Michigan National Bank, and today offers consumer, business and wealth management services at 14 branches within Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale and St. Joseph Counties and a loan production office in Angola, Indiana.

Writer: Cathie Schau, Second Wave Media
Source: Eric Anglin, Southern Michigan Bank & Trust