Ground broken for new State Bank

ByMarcy Curtis

New State Bank will offer better parking, easier access

            GUNNISON – The managers and employees of State Bank of Southern Utah held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, October 6 at the site of their new office located on the corner of 100 South and Main Street in Gunnison.

            Eric Schmutz, president of State Bank of Southern Utah, shared, “We are excited to expand our services in the Gunnison Valley. State Bank was founded with a mission to provide true community banking that helps individuals and businesses grow and succeed.”

L to R: Hal Pickett (former property owner), Radene Picket (former property owner), Casey Dyreng (lending manager, State Bank), Brent Jensen (Valley Builders), Don Olds (Valley Builders), Gary Carlisle (Carlisle Excavating), LaNor Warby (chief credit officer, State Bank), Gayle Ball (consumer loan officer, State Bank),  Erin Buchanan (branch operations manager), Suzanne Sanders (new accounts associate, State Bank), Michael Wanner (Gunnison City Council), Rodney Taylor (Gunnison City Council), Eric Schmutz (president, State Bank), Lori Nay (Gunnison mayor), Robert Andersen (Gunnison City Council), Trevor Andersen (EVP area manager, State Bank), Christine Courts (Naylor, Wentworth & Lund Architects)

            The new 9,600 square foot building will provide additional spaces beyond the banking lobby area, with greater privacy for customers. The building will include two features that are being made available for community use: a large conference room on the interior, as well as a pavilion built on the property.  The office will feature expanded drive-through services, including a drive-through ATM that will accept deposits.

Current State Bank of Southern Utah in Gunnison. Photo by Marcy Curtis.
Artists’ rendition of the new State Bank of Southern Utah in Gunnison.

            Construction will be managed by Valley Builders and will begin and progress through the winter as weather permits. The bank plans to relocate to the new office in 2022.

            Casey Dyreng, Gunnison Valley branch manager, said that the current building is an iconic fixture on Main Street and has served the Gunnison Valley well for over 100 years; however, “we have outgrown the space and are very excited to be building a new bank.”

            Dyreng said that the building will be a beautiful addition to Main Street. State Bank of Southern Utah believes the area and local economy are thriving and that it will continue to be a wonderful place to live and do business. “We are happy to be part of the community and aim to contribute in positive ways.”            

            As for the plans for the old building, they are unknown. State Bank of Southern Utah only leases the building and has two years left before they would need to renew the lease.

            State Bank has been serving southern Utah since 1957. The bank holds more than $2 billion in assets and operates 16 branches across 14 cities and towns – Cedar City, Circleville, Delta, Escalante, Fillmore, Gunnison, Hurricane, Kanab, Orderville, Parowan, Richfield, Santa Clara, St. George and Tropic – with another location announced in Washington City. For more information about State Bank of Southern Utah, visit their website at sbsu.com.