State Bank of Countryside (SBC) was founded by a group of local businessmen who saw a need for a community-focused, local bank. They implemented their idea of high-quality, personalized service in a warm, inviting atmosphere by opening State Bank of Countryside in 1975. The first office was made up of a few desks in a small, cozy storefront location -- our focused growth and vision over the past three decades have moved us a long way from that tiny beginning.
Over the years, our expansion has been driven by our customer's needs, not by what a market survey dictates. In 1983, responding to the building boom in the south suburbs, we opened another storefront office in Burbank, IL. Three short years later, we had outgrown the space and needed to expand to larger quarters. This was accomplished in 1986 when we moved into our own building one block west of the original branch. This building was followed by another, then another, and so on. SBC branches were popping up all around the Chicago metropolitan area. We now have offices in Burbank, Darien, Orland Park, and Chicago (right in the heart of Wrigleyville).
The Main Headquarters remains in Countryside, IL, but it, too, moved into larger quarters in 1989 when a 16,000 square foot colonial building was constructed immediately next door to the original location. In 2005, we completed a 25,000 square foot addition to our Main Headquarters. Today, this headquarters remains the backbone and hub of all we do.
We attribute our continued growth and success to the hard work and dedication of our employees and the strong relationships we have built with our customers. Our management team has been with the Bank for decades and has been instrumental in maintaining our focus and commitment to serving the customer. Our employees are dedicated, knowledgeable professionals that bring neighborly warmth to banking business.
Two Bank mottoes, or maxims, are used by the Bank to help us maintain focus and stability while simultaneously conveying our mission to the public. The first, "The Family Owned Bank for Families and Their Businesses", was created because so many of our customers had grown with us over the years and we consider them to be part of the SBC Family. Some of these customers have personal accounts at SBC, some of these customers have business relationships here, and a substantial number of them have both. To them all, we are most appreciative.
"We Make Excellence A Habit" is the other adage used at SBC to demonstrate our commitment to a higher-standard and to always doing the best we can. This has resulted in solid financial performance and has contributed to the economic well-being of the communities we serve. Further, evidence of SBC excellence can be seen by the many honors awarded the Bank in a variety of areas --- from financial performance to building architecture to interior design to outstanding landscaping.
The past 31 years have been very rewarding and challenging for all of us at the Bank. Today's unpredictable economy and rapid technological advances should ensure more challenges and excitement in the future. State Bank of Countryside looks forward to the possibilities and to building both new and existing banking relationships with our customers.
