Alliance Bank ready for grand opening

COVID has kept the big celebration from happening

NEW ULM -- Alliance Bank moved into its brand new building on Sept. 11, 2020, bringing all of its New Ulm employees together under one roof. All that is left now is to be able to hold its grand opening and show it off to all the customers.

But the COVID-19 restrictions have forced Alliance to keep its lobby closed to customers, Bank President Bob Reuter said.

"We hope to do a grand opening some day," said Reuter, "but we need to get through this pandemic first."

For 50 years, Alliance Bank, formerly known as the Farmers & Merchants bank, was housed in the building next door at 4th North and Minnesota Streets. As the banking business grew and expanded into insurance and financial planning, Alliance found its former habitat was too small. Before the new bank was built, Alliance's employees were spread out in three locations in New Ulm, and a branch in Courtland.

"It's hard to keep up a team atmosphere when everyone is spread out," said Reuter.

With the new bank building, all 49 of the Alliance bank employees are now working under the same roof.

With the COVID-19 rules, some of the employees were working from home for a while, but now everyone who wants to is able to come to work in the new office.

Whether it was prescient design or a happy circumstance, Reuter said the layout of the new building lends itself very well to the new social distancing requirements. The work stations have been well spaced so no one is close enough to others to trigger the six-foot rule.

Customers can call for an appointment in the bank, if needed, otherwise there are many other banking options made possible by technology -- ATM transactions, online banking, mobile phone apps and so on.

Still, Reuter hopes the day comes soon when people can walk right in.

"We've always prided ourselves on the personal touch," Reuter said. "We think the one-to-one personal touch is important to maintain.

"This is an inconvenience for us, but so long as everyone is safe and healthy, that's the important thing."

Business has been brisk as the bank, even with the COVID restrictions. Reuter said the bank has been busy helping customers with the Payroll Protection Program applications.

"Fortunately, there's always a demand for our product," Reuter said with a grin.

Alliance Bank is still owned by the Reim family, whose roots extend deep into New Ulm. The company headquarters may be in St. Paul, but New Ulm is still important to the family, and their support for New Ulm and its residents extends to the bank's employees as well. Reuter said the bank has lots of employees with over 40 years experience, and that's attributable to the support of the ownership.

While the bank is settling comfortably into its new home, the question remains -- what to do with the old bank just down the block?

Reuter said that's a question to be approached later this spring.

"With everything else that's going on, we're going to let that pass, and then we'll address it later."

The bank did donate the former Courtland branch building to the city of Courtland, which will use it for city office space.