By Lori EhdeFirst National Bank of Luverne customers and employees are awaiting to learn how they’ll be affected by the sale of First National to Minnwest Bank.Minnwest Corporation of Minnetonka and Fishback Financial Corporation of Brookings, S.D., reached an agreement for Minnwest Bank of Luverne to purchase First National Bank of Luverne.Minnwest Bank of Luverne has one location in Luverne, while First National Bank of Luverne has two locations in Luverne (one on South Highway 75 and one in Glen’s Food Center) and one in Beaver Creek.According to a statement released Thursday, Nov. 6, the agreement is pending regulatory approval, which won’t be for about six weeks.Until then, it’s unclear how the purchase agreement will affect operations and employees. There are currently 10 1/2 full-time equivalent employees working in all the three locations of First National Bank of Luverne.From Minnwest’s perspective, the move is seen as an opportunity to reach a broader number of Luverne and Rock County citizens."We know that First National Bank of Luverne has provided a high level of service to its customers in the past, and it is our intent to maintain and grow those standards wherever possible," said Greg Burger, president of Minnwest Bank, Luverne."We are very excited about the opportunities this presents for Minnwest Bank Luverne and continue to look forward to growing with Rock County and the Luverne community."
