—Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Anne Blankenship One of the newly placed Availa Bank signs is pictured above at the corner Des Moines and First Street. Although the name of the former First American Bank is changing, the local employees and services will stay the same.

New signs went up recently at the corner of Second and Des Moines Streets at the large clock as well as at the corner of Des Moines and First Streets, proclaiming the new name of the former First American Bank – Availa Bank.

Carroll County State Bank purchased the Webster City, Jewell and Roland branches of First American Bank in December. In February, CCSB announced that all of its locations would be renamed Availa Bank.

Jeff Scharfenkamp, president and CEO of Availa, attended the March Chamber of Commerce meeting in Webster City.

“We are excited for the opportunity to expand our footprint and serve the communities of Webster City, Jewell and Roland,” he said at the meeting. He said the then Carroll County State Bank a long history and presence in Iowa, dating back to 1870.

Scott Bargfrede remains the market president of the three branches. He said while the name and ownership has changed, the staff and services remain the same.

“We’re able to keep everybody’s position at all three locations,” he said. There are about 20 employees, both full and part-time between the three banks. He added that customers should notice little change at the banks as the transition to the new ownership was very smooth.

Bargfrede said the change in name was planned before the purchase of the three branches.

“Carroll County State Bank, now Availa, were looking at doing the name change this year. That decision was accelerated with the purchase of these three banks.,” he said.

We maintain local autonomy. Decisions pertaining to our local markets are made here at the local level,” Bargfrede said. “And that’s part of the reason for the name change – to give more autonomy to the local banks.”

Now, it’s business as usual at the Webster City, Jewell and Roland banks.

“We have more local decisions and more going back into the community,” he said. “We’ve learned that wherever there is an Availa Bank, they are committed to the community.”