With a concept that originated in 1998 by a group of local business people, Clarkston State Bank has grown to where it currently houses four branches ready to serve the needs of the Clarkston and Waterford communities.
The bank’s main branch on 15 South Main St. in Clarkston opened Jan. 4, 1999 with a staff of 10 employees. Today, there are 36 employees in the bank’s four branches.
Two of those branches, located inside Farmer Jack stores on Dixie and Sashabaw, are open seven days a week and in the evenings. There are four ATM machines available, three in Clarkston and one in Waterford. In addition, the Waterford branch has a drive-up service.
Six months after the main branch opened, the bank’s second branch opened at the Farmer Jack on Sashabaw Road. In 2001, three additional branches opened: Waterford (May), M-15 (August) and the Farmer Jack on Dixie Highway (October).
However, the M-15 branch closed at the end of February. “It was originally set up so customers could avoid construction in downtown Clarkston,” Bank President and CEO Dawn Horner said. “Now that the construction is completed, we’ve decided to close that facility.”
According to Horner, the bank is currently working on a facilities plan for the next three years to expand their branch network. She hopes to add a drive-through facility in Clarkston in the future.
Horner said serving the needs of the community is at the heart of the bank’s mission. “Our main focus is customer service,” she said. “We cater to the customer’s needs. Our success is a tribute to the excellent team of people who work here. They always go the extra mile to satisfy the customers’ needs.”
Last year, the bank celebrated a milestone in achieving $100 million in assets only 3-1/2 years after their opening. In 2003, the bank has added a residential mortgage area, and Horner stated the bank is looking into providing Internet banking. She anticipates that will begin operation the second quarter of this year.
The bank’s staff prides itself on its community involvement, with each member of management involved in at least one community organization.
Horner is a member of the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and branch manager Angie Logan is an ambassador for the Chamber and is on several of its committees.
Branch/Operations Manager Kris Elhke is involved with the SCAMP Walk and Roll, and is actively involved with the Clarkston school district, having started student-run branches at Clarkston Elementary School and Springfield Plains Elementary School. Consumer Loan Officer Jill Popour is a member of the Clarkston Area Optimist Club, and Assistant Vice President/Commercial Loan Officer Brad Nicholson is a member of the Clarkston Rotary Club.
Senior Lender/Vice President Jim Jeszke is a member of the Clarkston Kiwanis Club, and Chief Financial Officer/Senior Vice President Grant Smith is the treasurer for the Clarkston Coalition for Youth.
At the Waterford branch, Branch Manager Debby Chisholm and Vice President/Commercial Loan Officer Tom Clarke are members of the Waterford Chamber of Commerce. Clarke is also on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Oakland County, while Commercial Loan Officer Ben Kramer is a member of the Waterford Lions.
The bank’s branch locations and hours are as follows:
nMain Office: 15 South Main St., Clarkston, MI 48346. Phone: 248-625-8585; Fax: 248-625-3320; Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
nWaterford Branch: 6600 Highland Rd., Suite 2, Waterford, MI 48327. Phone: 248-886-0086; Fax: 248-886-1432; Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Extended Drive-In Hours: Thursday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
nFarmer Jack (Sashabaw): 6555 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston, MI 48346. Phone: 248-625-0887; Fax: 248-625-0559; Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 12-3 p.m.
nFarmer Jack (Dixie): 7121 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, MI 48346. Phone: 248-625-0666; Fax: 248-625-6656; Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 12-3 p.m.