Ames Community Bank announces new, unified name: VisionBank of Iowa.
Effective October 15th, Ames Community Bank and its offices including Community Bank of Boone, City State Bank (Ogden), Ballard Community Bank (Huxley), and VisionBank (Grimes) officially changed its name to VisionBank of Iowa. All locations will be marketed and promoted as VisionBank.
Kurt Kuta, President/CEO of the bank, stated one of the primary reasons for the new branding is to reduce confusion and promote unity. “Some of our customers who live in one of our communities and work or visit in another are not aware that they can take advantage of the services offered at other locations,” Kuta said, “And the name change allows all of our locations to represent the same identity and brand and helps our employees to feel unified.”
The impact of the name change will be minimal to bank customers. “Our customers will find this rebrand will not change their accounts,” Kuta said, “No new checks or debit cards. No new fees. Same internet banking login. Same great people serving them. The same commitment to our communities.”
The decision to change the bank name was made in July 2011. “The bank was and is in a very good financial position and poised to grow” Kuta said, “This name change will help us promote the bank and our great staff as we grow the bank the right way.”
The unified name and message will make it more apparent to customers how they can benefit from all that VisionBank provides. “We have the products, expertise, and capacity to do the commercial, agricultural, construction, commercial real estate, and mortgage loans that are in demand in our communities,” Kuta said, “Along with the deposit products, services, and technology businesses and customers expect today.” And more products are on the way. “We will soon be offering mobile banking and person-to-person (P-to-P) services,” Kuta said, “Customers are asking for these services along with our continued commitment to personal relationships.”
Kuta stated a thorough process was undertaken to choose a name. This included focus groups in all the bank’s communities. Feedback from these groups included more importance given on the level of service provided and the commitment to lasting relationships and our communities than the actual bank name.
Several name options were considered. Some were discarded due to similar names with local businesses or trademark/copyright protection. “We just kept coming back to a name we already controlled and liked a lot,” Kuta said, “A name that has a lot of potential that can be used to communicate our message about our bank, its people and values.”
Along with the VisionBank name, a new logo and tagline have been adopted. On the logo Kuta stated “The five blocks represent our five communities which are strong building blocks to grow upon. They form an arrow, or “V”, that shows the forward direction we are going and the forward thinking we have.”
Kuta stated that focus on the future and the customer is communicated further with the tagline of See What We Can Do For You. “This really says succinctly what we challenge ourselves to do every day. Finding solutions for and building relationships with our customers, staff, and communities,” Kuta said, “We liked it so much we trademark protected it so we can use it for years to come.”
"We're excited about the new opportunities that lie before us and we hope our customers and friends share in our excitement," Kuta said. “I encourage those individuals and businesses in our communities to visit with our great staff to see what we can do for you.
About VisionBank of Iowa
VisionBank’s eight full service branches in Ames, Boone, Grimes, Huxley, and Ogden have $400 Million in assets and over $340 Million in deposits. The bank is owned by Ogden BancShares, Inc., a locally owned bank holding company based in Boone. The bank offers full service retail, mortgage, consumer, commercial, commercial real estate, and agricultural deposit and lending products and services. To learn more, visit the bank’s website at www.visionbankiowa.com.
