Christina Hoeck

Christina Hoeck

First Bank & Trust is adding yet another Brookings location to its roster. At 520 6th St., a new, bigger branch of the bank is being built. As a result, the bank’s east location on 5th St. and 5th Ave. in downtown Brookings will close and move into the new location on 6th Street.

In comparison to all the other banks in Brookings, the new First Bank & Trust will be one of the largest banks in town. The bank will add its trust building to the new bank location, which is currently located across the street from First Bank’s downtown location.

The Wal-Mart and Hy-Vee stores in Brookings also hold branches of First Bank & Trust, as do the cities of Vermillion and Garretson.

With branches in two of the largest college towns in the state, college students make up a larger percentage of the bank’s business. Employment is also an option at the bank for students looking for a career.

“We weren’t primarily trying to target college students, but it was very convenient to have locations in Brookings and Vermillion,” said DeAnn Moulton of First Bank & Trust. “We hope to attract more attention to our bank with this new building.”

Construction for the new First Bank & Trust building began May 1, 2005, and will be completed August 2006.

#1.884785:2976711838.jpg:newbank_aa.jpg:The 22nd Street First Bank & Trust is scheduled to be finished in May 2006.:Amber Armstrong