[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21694-21695]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF BANK OF O'FALLON IN O'FALLON, 
                                ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 15, 2009

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Bank of O'Fallon, in 
O'Fallon, Illinois.
  The Bank of O'Fallon was chartered in 1959 and opened its doors in a 
facility on the northwest corner of the new Southview Plaza. The 
original board of directors included; Matthias K. Schwarz, Russell V. 
Thoman, Sr., Dr. B.F. Tate, Arthur Huller, W. Wayne McKinley, Ray 
Richardson, and Jack Schwarz. The management team consisted of 
President, Matthias K. Schwarz, Vice-President, Russell V. Thomas, Sr., 
and acting cashier, Dr. B.F. Tate.
  Responding to the needs of its customers, the Bank of O'Fallon opened 
an 8 lane drive through facility in 1973, across the ``Shiloh Road,'' 
at 913 South Lincoln. Expansion continued in 1989 with the opening of a 
new, larger bank building next to the drive through. The Community 
Financial Center was built on the site of the original bank building in 
2000. This center holds a conference room, dedicated to one of the 
founders, Russell V. Thomas, Sr. and his wife, Eleanor, where community 
groups can meet free of charge.
  The Bank of O'Fallon has grown through the years and has earned a 
reputation as a sound, successful community bank. It is owned by 
Security First Bancshares, Inc., a locally owned holding company. With 
current assets of approximately $255 million, the bank has been 
recognized by several independent bank research firms with their 
highest ratings.
  The current president, Richard J. Thoman, stresses the joint 
contributions of the directors, officers and employees in the 
continuing success of the bank. O'Fallon and the surrounding area have 
been tremendous growth since 1959 and the Bank of O'Fallon has grown 
with it by maintaining close ties within the communities it serves.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
board of directors, officers and employees of the Bank of O'Fallon on 
their 50th Anniversary and wishing them the very best for many more 
years to come.

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