Rural SE MN city soon to be without a bank

(ABC 6 News) – Technology has made life easier in a lot of ways, and that includes doing our banking. But, that technology and convenience is also the reason Bremer Bank in Eyota is closing down, right now that bank is the only one in that small city.

“Bremer Bank has been our bank and we’re really going to miss having them there to do business with,” said Vice President of Front and Center Beth Krolak.

Front and Center is a non-profit food pantry, the organization relies on donations and sales from its thrift store to operate, which means most of that comes in the form of cash.

“Our thrift shop is open several times a week, and we need to make a deposit at the end of each shift. A cash deposit,” said Krolak.

She goes to Bremer Bank to make those deposits, but come December 16th, she’ll no longer be able to.

In a statement Bremer Bank said, “We are seeing more customers choosing to do their banking online or via our mobile app. This has created less foot traffic and demand at certain branches, and the Eyota location is one of them.”

“We as a city, and me personally, we’re pretty disappointed to hear about it,” said Eyota City Councilmember Tyrel Clark.

Councilmember Clark hopes to turn the negative into a positive, “It’s very nice building in the middle of our downtown. So, economic development wise we’re very interested to see what will go in there.”

If Krolak continues to bank with Bremer, she’ll have to drive to St. Charles, Rochester or Stewartville to make her deposits and says this is a reminder for people to support their small town businesses.

“We shop at the grocery store, we shop at the local gas station and most of us do that purposely in order to build our community,” said Krolak.

Bremer said the employees currently at its Eyota location have been offered positions at other Bremer locations.