EVANS, N.Y. (WKBW) — In 1920, the carriage ride to Buffalo was just too long for people hoping to do banking. Several Angola citizens then formed their own community bank. It was called "The Evans National Bank of Angola" and it had just one employee.
"When he would go to the post office every day, his wife would come in and cover for him," said Kathleen Rizzo Young from Evans Bank.
Through the years, Evans Bank opened 15 new branches and is now looking to expand into the Rochester market. The expansion would allow Evans Bank to increase its number of employees from around 325 to 400.
"There are a lot of banks that haven't lasted that long. So, for us to be here for a 100 years is pretty cool," added Executive Assistant Michelle Baumgarden, who started working for Evans Bank in Angola 40-years ago.
In a world filled with business mergers and corporate giants, Evans Bank secret to success has been focusing on serving customers, helping the community, and hiring good employees. "All those things are conducive to being a good business," explained President & CEO David Nasca.
Nasca told 7 Eyewitness New Reporter Ed Reilly there use to be 20,000 community banks in the country during the 1980's but those numbers have fallen to around 6,000 today. "The competition is friendly but it is strong," said Nasca.
Evans Bank is one a select number of community banks that has assets worth approximately $1.5 billion. When the Rochester expansion is complete, that amount could increase to $1.8 billion.
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Evans Bank gave $50,000 to the Town of Evans for improvements to the town's senior center and programs. It was accepted by Evans Supervisor Mary Hosler, who is a former Evans Bank employee herself.
