First FarmBank (Greeley, Colorado) held a grand opening on February 12. Everything is squeaky clean and bright around here, President Les Mariotti said. Three years ago, the Colorado Corn Growers Association began looking into the possibility of finding investors and organizing a bank. The bank hit the ground running in 2007 with 60 investors in tow and $7.4 million in the vault. Mariotti, a banking veteran of 30 years, was brought on to help shepherd the group through the chartering process and organize the investors. Farm banking requires a special knowledge of that industry, and the board is made up of producers who set out to do it right. Valley View Financial Group (Overland Park, Kansas) has unveiled a new strategy to boost customer service across its greater Kansas City market. The $2.47 billion holding company operates 43 branches throughout the region, but the branches are affiliated with seven separately chartered and operated banks. The plan: let customers use the branches of all the banks regardless of name or charter. In April, Valley View will roll out a marketing campaign to support the service, Valley View banks' individual signage will change only with the addition of a distinctive green leaf logo to help customers identify participating banks.

Corporate presidents
Branch banking
Agricultural banking