Banterra Bank

When looking for an institution to invest their money and provide banking services, one of the qualities consumers look for is stability. They want the comfort of knowing that their bank is keeping watch over their financial future.

Banterra Bank has demonstrated by the way it has grown since its beginnings in 1975 that it will be around for a long time.

"Throughout the years, Banterra has established an impressive record of growth and profitability based on a firm foundation of financial strength," said spokesperson Mel Bower. "With a proven record of growth and stability as well as boasting the most experience and reputable staff in the region, you can trust that Banterra Bank is here to stay."

The philosophy of stability is reflected in the name that the bank's investors chose when banks in Ridgway, West Frankfort and Vienna, Ill. merged to form a new company. Ridgway Bancorp became Banterra Bank. The word Banterra means "bank of the earth."

The original company has grown from one location in Ridgway, Ill., with $11 million in assets to today's 32 locations and over $11 billion in assets. In a regional economy where people are on the move constantly, Banterra has enough branches and ATMs to make finding a place to bank easy, no matter where you are in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky or Indiana.

Among the convenient locations of Banterra Bank is the Cape Girardeau branch a 1610 N. Kingshighway, managed by Lee Ann Tally. An ATM is located at the Cape Girardeau branch for after-hours banking or for those in a hurry.

Banterra Bank (Submitted photo)

While big national banks may boast of many locations as well, Banterra Bank is proud that its investors are from this region, and operational decisions are made nearby, not on the east or west coast.

Bower said a diversity in the services available is another strength of Banterra Bank. While the bank's main focus is on its core business of basic commercial and retail banking, the bank also offers a broad spectrum of services such as mortgages, comprehensive insurance and investment services, agricultural financial and brokerage services.

"Banterra Bank is a one-stop opportunity for a wide range of financial services," Bower said.

And while Banterra Bank is proud of its down-to-earth philosophy, that doesn't mean that it doesn't stay on the cutting edge of new technologies.

Personal banking customers appreciate Banterra's convenient online banking system, as well as mobile banking for cell phones.

Many of the bank's commercial customers are taking advantage of Remote Deposit, a service that allows them to scan checks and then transmit the check images into their account through a secure internet connection. Remote Deposit not only provides an extended cut-off time for deposits compared to those made in person, but it also reduce the time and travel expense to have employees going to the bank for deposits.