Premier Bank Set to Expand with Historic Building Purchase

Premier Bank is excited to announce its plan to purchase and renovate the former Valley State Bank building in Rock Valley. The acquisition is a significant milestone for Premier Bank as the building, constructed in 1913, holds special sentimental value to the company, its founders and their families. The original management team of Premier Bank: Wade Gort, Greg Westra, Joyce Van Engen and Dawn Fickbohm were all previously employees of Valley State Bank and are still involved in Premier Bank today.

Premier Bank will transform the location into a space for its wealth management services and a home office for Premier Insurance Agency. In addition, Premier Insurance Agency has offices in Alcester and Doon. This move will consolidate and enhance these services by providing a dedicated space for clients and a central hub for growth.

Bank founders, Wade Gort and Greg Westra have multi-generational ties to the building. Wade’s father, Earl Gort, and Greg’s father, Harold Westra, were both bankers for Valley State Bank and founding shareholders of Premier. Wade and Greg have since welcomed their sons, Spencer Gort and Matt Westra, into the legacy story, now working at Premier Bank.

“This is more than just a real estate transaction for us; this building is where the idea of Premier Bank was born.” said Matt Westra, Chief Financial Officer of Premier Bank. “To come full circle and establish this location as the home office for our wealth management and insurance divisions is incredibly meaningful and a testament to our continued commitment to the Rock Valley community. It is especially exciting for me, as I will be the fourth generation of my family spending time working in this building. My father, Greg Westra; grandfather, Harold Westra; and great-grandfather, G.G. “Speed” Vermeer, all worked for Valley State Bank.”

The renovation project, which is pending regulatory approval, is expected to begin shortly after the purchase, with a focus on redesigning the interior while preserving the building’s local history.

As a locally owned and managed bank with five locations in Iowa and South Dakota, Premier Bank partners with its customers and communities to help them succeed. Their knowledgeable employees tailor customer’s banking relationships to provide the best value for their hard-earned money, meet their needs throughout their financial journey, and build the legacy they want.

Pictured below are a few historic items from Valley State Bank.