Closed for business. Hard times seem to be the norm for rural, small town America and these days hard times seem much deeper. The Bank of Whitman was closed for business on August 5, 2011 by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions and placed into receivership by the FDIC. The banks assets were eventually bought by Columbia Bank and eight of the twelve former branch locations were re-opened. But here in the small town of Lind in central eastern Washington, the bank did not re-open. If bank customers want to talk to a loan officer, or even chat with a live teller, they must drive twenty miles to Ritzville or Othello to do so. I don’t often have the need to go into the bank lobby, but I sure wouldn’t want to be that far away from my branch and safe-deposit box. Even though there were ‘For Sale’ signs on several windows and the front doors, I did like the staid, conservative look of the bank’s name and logo.
Thanks for joining me today, for the view that is right here! ~ Madge
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Sharing with ‘Rural Thursday Blog Hop #14,’ and ‘Homestead Barn Hop #59.’
So many businesses closing down from the hard hit economy.
That’s so sad to see. It does have that look of “we’ve been here along time and will be here in the future…” I’m sure the town misses the convenience.
So sad to see this and so many other shuttered windows on the town square. We need these local businesses desperately and, if the economy collapses, local businesses will be our saviors. Buy local!
I’m guessing that with the wheat in the logo they did business in your Palouse region.
Yes… wheat country… ;-)
Sad commentary on the state of our economy. The big banks thrive while the bread and butter of rural America suffers. I would hate to have to drive 20 miles to cash a check!
Sad to lose local businesses. Terrell has seen our share of closings, but thankfully out local bank seems to be expanding to other towns.
Nice typography.