BUSINESS MEMO: SEMO BANK CHANGES NAME

South East Missouri Bank, 111 S. Broadview, will open today under a new name, the SEMO Banking Center, as part of the Wood & Huston Bankcorporation.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 9 a.m.

The changes to South East Missouri Bank are due to the reorganization of its holding company, Wood & Huston Bancorporation. South East Missouri Bank, Wood & Huston Bank of Marshall and Missouri Southern Bank of West Plains, will remain under common ownership while merging their services and operations.

The reorganization is an attempt to eliminate duplicate tasks, increase efficiency in operations and provide a wider variety of financial products and services.

SEMO Banking Center President Steve Ketelsen said, "With greater efficiencies and improved service, we'll have an even greater competitive edge over other financial institutions in our area."

The reorganization is not a change in ownership, management or service personnel.

"This is simply a way to make each bank in our holding company even more responsive to our communities and meeting their financial needs," Ketelsen said.