‘Just the beginning’: Wintrust opens Rockford Community Bank
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A new bank that promises an old-fashioned personal approach with customers and meaningful connections in the community has opened at the corner of Perryville and Rote roads.
The opening of Rockford Community Bank marks Wintrust’s entry into personal banking in the Rockford region. The financial services institution has provided mortgage services here for about eight years and commercial banking for about five at 6885 Vistagreen Way.
Rockford Community Bank, 1825 N. Perryville Road, opened its doors and welcomed its first customers last week. It’s planning a grand opening celebration for Feb. 23.
“We don’t think this will be our only branch in the area,” said Michele Petrie, regional president of Wintrust in Rockford. “We see us growing north up to (Illinois) 173, maybe downtown, maybe south a little bit. So it’s just the beginning.”
Wintrust was founded in 1991 by Ed Wehmer in north Chicago to provide customers an alternative to big banks. It now has about 175 locations, with each focused on the needs of the community it serves.
“Rockford does not act like Lake Forest, which does not act like downtown Chicago, which does not act like some of the subburbs,” Petrie said. “Let’s let the people in these communities tell us what they need … What do they want? And let’s take all the big resources in Wintrust and funnel it down to what matters in this community.”
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Rockford Community Bank employs 14 people, most of whom were born and raised here, Petrie said. She came to the community about five years ago and has been involved in several local committees, including serving as chairperson of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and the Rockford Economic Development Council. She is also president of the board of the Crusader Community Health Foundation.
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The company aims to provide the same or betters services as larger chain banks – with everything from savings and checking accounts to personal loans and assistance with wealth management for stocks, bonds and mutual funds. But, Petrie said, they want to add a personal touch beyond the online technology.
“That’s what a community banker does, they don’t put things in an app and click boxes, they make sure they get what you’re saying,” Petrie said. “The whole point of this community bank is we are here if you need that experience.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas .
