Description

Blackhawk Bank & Trust will host a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of their new branch building on Wednesday, May 24^th at 1:30 pm. They are located at 105 North High Street in Port Byron, Illinois. The public is invited to attend and tour the facility. Please park on the lower level and use the employee entrance when you arrive. RSVP to the Marketing Department – 309.787.9531.
 
While the building may be new, the bank’s presence in Port Byron is not. Prior to acquisition in 2015, Port Byron State Bank had been part of the community since 1863; making it the second oldest bank in the state of Illinois. When Blackhawk Bank & Trust acquired Port Byron State Bank, they saw the need to update and modernize the banking facilities.
 
“We wanted to invest in this community and update the banking facility in Port Byron, and we’ve done so in the name of accessibility. This new branch is conveniently located right off of Route 84 and now features two lanes with ITM drive thru service, which is an improvement from the drive thru lane that existed before,” shared Jim Huiskamp, President of Blackhawk Bank & Trust.
 
While the new building features some of the latest in banking technology, historical items from the former brank building have been preserved, such as the original vault door and former rolltop desk of the original bank president. Additionally, customers will recognize the same familiar team, led by Branch Manager, Julie Hager.
 
“This new branch is unique because while we pay tribute to the history of banking with the preserved vault door and the artwork showcasing local history, up on the teller line and at the new drive thrus, we are using some of the newest technology to be introduced to the banking world,” added Huiskamp.