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*i»AGE 8 - WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 10.1979 • - ' -Sjl ^1, " ' • ' " % S;^'- JL& -i*' . .,4' J, t Depar tment: from the left-Helen Hanklns; Robert eider, vice president and trust off icer; Lenora (Continued from page 6) F r lsby, vice president and trust off icer; R ose Pltxen and E lolse F reund. ipieting the trust department are Helen Hankins, Rose S. and E loise F reund. Ms. F risby irves that she is frequently asked |ielp out long time customers with services for which they had e to depent on her in pervious Hons. She said it is a small town jrtionship which people in the bank lin and which contributes to the will among customers which ains the banks vigorous growth. Schneider outlined the functions of the trust department as fitting into four categories: administration of the present accounts in compliance with the agreements made; to initiate most of the investment decisions on those accounts with discretionary or participatory agreements; supervision of the distribution of incoming receipts or assets for existing accounts; and development of new business. Schneider noted that in the last five years assets controlled by the Trust Department had increased from $4.5 million to $20 million and the gross earnings had risen by 500 per cent. T he board of directors has indicated that it feels a trust department is necessary to the community for the bank to assume a role as a full service institution, and McHenry State is the only local source of such service at present. In addition, in contrast with largecity banks where trust service is offered, McHenry State will handle estates or trusts which might be ignored in Chicago. The local service is personalized, Schneider declared. Whispering Point Annex , | -- -- • : Once Lonely Center For 2,813 "'"'fuk • ' • -*""4 i " ""3 ' ' ' ' . . - ' "People may not realize it but we can do everything but process applications and grant loans, which is prohibited by law, at the Whispering Point annex," noted Don Wattles, assistant vice president, in charge of the unit. And he points out a substantial rate of growth in number of transactions, from a zero base, when the Crystal Lake Road facility opened on Feb. 8, to a high of 2813 transactions reached this summer. The problem has been in finding the place, Wattles explained. Even with detailed instructions from main bank personnel some people could not locate us at first. Wattles observed that the drive up tellers accept deposits on both checking and savings accounts, and also cash checks and pay out savings when the pass book is presented. Whispering Point is on line with the computer and transactions and balances are instantaneously available, he said. However, for some business, custom ers are urged to park and come into the building so as not hold up a line of cars for an extended process. Inside transactions include opening new savings and checking accounts, issuing cashiers checks, money orders, or drafts, and travelers' checks. Businesses who woujd otherwise have to fight downtown traffic have begun using the Whispering Point facility for deposits and change. Wattles indicated that the business hours at the Whispering Point unit differ a little from the main building or the Carey building: 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8:30a.m. to 7:30p.m. on Friday; and 8:30a.m. to 3:00p.m. on Saturdays. The facility is closed on Wednesdays, but for service the Carey building is open for business. Also, a night depositary is available during the time Whispering Point is closed if someonemust get rid of their deposit, and an automatic teller machine, is being considered for simple off hour transactions. About concerns that the "Point's" comparative isolation constituted a security risk, Wattles pointed out that the building was tied in with the main offices' security and alarm systems and had its own inside camera and automatic triggering devices if someone entered with crime on his mind. Theft from a drive up window is almost unthinkable, Wattles added. T he Whispering P oint facility is in a setting of prime expansion, in a growing section of the community, Wattles claimed, pointing out the newly built offices nearby and the burgeoning subdivisions to the south and west. The "Point" is the first place new people come to he believes and claimed that use of the facility is habit forming. Because they are away from congestion customers avoid long lines and receive more personal attention, Wattles continued. Working conditions are relaxed and impose less pressure than at the main banks or institutions down town. Personnel in the "Point" recognize their customers and can exchange the time of day. He noted that the girls assigned liked to work there because of those reasons. E xpansion of the unit from two drive up windows to four is tentatively planned for next spring, Wattles predicted. Being considered is a brick and mortar building in the colonial motif as with the main bank and the Carey B uilding. It would also increase the walk in capacity. And perhaps more functions would be offered to the public if certain legal restrictions are removed by the I AA! e I «4 air A \A/M44IAC n A4 A/^ McHenry State Bank, which has a tradition of being first in the county for newly developed services, J is probably the first to offer' a permanent remote annex facllit Wattles who is the grandsoh: Frank Wattles, an origij stockholder of the McHenry %\ Bank and one time chairman of ! board, began his banking can June 18, 1955 after a y < attendance at the U niversity of Miami in F I or Ida.T wo days after he was out of school he began work at the former West McHenry Bank location, -tn later years he worked at the Green 8t. building and as of May 10 was assigned to supervise the Whispering Point unit. His education includes courses at the American Institute of Banking in Chicago and other Training. He progressed from teller and cash verifier at the old bank to an appointment as assistant cashier and recently as assistant vice president. ' Working with Wattles at the "Point" are Fran Wiser, Joyce Diedrich and Judie Beres, all functioning as a team and interchangeably perform ing duties as reaulrsd. Whispering Point drive up facil i ty team: from left-Donald H. Wattles, assistant vice president ( In charge); Fran Wiser, Joyce Diedrich, and Judle Beres. Day to day management with special attention to problems is what the Operations Department does, notes E dwin J. Becker, vice president and cashier, responsible for the overall operations of the McHenry State Bank. H e observes that he, with the aid of his secretary, Pam Patterson, oversees every thing from simple maintenance or housekeeping work to insuring that the computer and bookkeeping functions Ore operating. And if everything is going smoothly his job is easy. But if a problem crops up, which he admits happens occasionally since the bank is having growing pains, then he earns his pay. His background .involves a detailed knowledge of the numerous bank functions and the "machinery" which help them work. About fifty employees who handle the daily details of receiving deposits, keeping records, figuring interest, preparing documents, setting up programs, maintaining computers, sweeping the floor and emptying the wastebaskets are in some way guided by Becker. He notes the growing complexities of banking from twenty years ago when everybody, even bank officers, pitched in to prepare statem ents, figure balances and other regular chores which were largely done . by hand or with manually operated machines. Each person seemed to know a little of everything. Now, as the volume of deposits and business has grown, jobs have become more specialized and each worker has to know a lot more about fewer functions, Becker points out. Now most of the bookkeeping, totaling, and interest computations are handled by a connection with the central computor at Inbanco in Volo. This unit almost magically records all transactions; and because of sophisticated computer programs keeps totals up to date, figures interest and prints out statements when required. Becker said the computing of daily interest, which McHenry State and other banks offer, would be inpossible without the computer. As late as 1969banks were still figuring interest "by hand" using desk top calculators, he recalls. Becker notes that "all our people are versatile, and versed in all phases of banking." This enables supervisors to change employes' assignm ents to where they are needed according to absences or workloads. Discussing the progress of automation in connection with banking, Becker notes that in 1968 check i ng -- accou n+s were-- computerized and in 1969 savings accounts also were. Presently information on loans and some of the supporting documentation has been placed in computer files for fast recall. Becker said automatic teller machines have now become available and McHenry State is planning on the istallation of several, one in the new Gerald R . Carey B uilding and another at the Whispering Point Facility. These units will look somewhat like a vending machine set in a wall and accessible to a person outside. By inserting a plastic (credit) card and pushing certain numbered buttons a customer will validatea transaction and be able to receive certain amounts of currency and perform other transactions. Becker said that the ultimate goals of most banks are for a nationwide system of electronic fund transfers for which the technology is now available. However, the need for uninterrupted phone or reserved lines cannot be met as of now, so the paperless society is still not around the corner, Becker concedes. However, more imminent is a statewide system of electronic fund transfers. Working toward this goal in a pilot progran are about 65 banks in central Illinois who are experimenting with cashing checks via this method. Becker notes that his job provides many challanges in satisfying the consumer 1st oriented public of today. E xperience leading to his present position includes aboUt eight years service at a Chicago bank in the bookkeeping department and in the discount or note department. In 1965 he joined the McHenry State Bank in the auditing department and was -appointed auditor in 1974. He later transferred to operations and was appointed cashier in 1975. As in the case of most bankers who advance, he has spent much time going to school including: Illinois Bankers School, Bank Administration Institute, School for Auditors, and the Bank Administration Institute at Madison for a course in operations. Becker has taught principles of bank operations in a number of locations in northern Illinois for the past 5 years. Included in the all important Operations Department is Fred Kupstis, assistant cashier and security officer. He also fills several other functions, namely: main vault custodian, purchasing officer, and data center coordinator. Kupstis joined the bank in 1967 after 4 years in the U.S. Airforce. He worked as a bookkeeper until the systems were automated in 1968 when he was advanced to liaison man between the bank and data center facilities at Northern Trust (since replaced by Inbanco). He has attended a number of bank courses at the American Institute of Banking. Architects rendering of the Whispering P dnt Drive-in location to begin soon. NORTHERN LAND TITLE CORP. AUTHORIZED AGENT FOR PIONEER NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE CO. P.O. Box 149, 666 Russell St., Woodstock, II. 60098 815-338-6570 Operations: Making Things Work Operations Department-Pinpointing a problem Fred president and cashier, holding plans approves. Secretary, Kupstis, assistant cashier and security off icer considers a Pam Patterson prepares the memo. solution as department head, Edwin J. Becker, Jr. , vice "PROVIDING COMPLETE TITLE INSURANCE AND ESCROW SERVICES" OUR BEST WISHES AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE McHenry State Bank their officers, depositors and employees on the Dedication and Grand Opening of their new facility, the Gerald J. Carey Building. They have always provided convenient and efficient service for their customers and it is apparent that they will continue to do the same.