Page 4 - The History of Watertown Savings Bank_Neat
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The bank’s original hand-written ledgers      Watertown Savings Bank’s Vision Statement
                                                           provide detailed accounts of those early      has been clear for years:
                                                           meetings held by the WSB founders, and          “To be the best Bank in Jefferson County; excelling
                                                           offer a true sense of their deep-rooted belief   in service to our customers, rewarding opportunities
                                                           in helping the community and those less       for our employees, and philanthropic giving to our
                                                           knowledgeable about financial matters. The    community”.
                                                           historical records provide some context of
                                                           where the phrase “rich banker” came from, as    We maintain the number one market share for
                                                           these founders were the financial backers long   deposits and loans in Jefferson County, the bank
                                                           before the existence of the Federal Deposit   currently employs 120 people in nine locations and
                                                           Insurance Corp. (FDIC).                       we have been recognized as the “Top Community
                                                                                                         Supporter” in New York State by Banking New
                                                             The bank’s detailed history also highlights   York magazine – a fitting tribute to the vision
                                                           how the bank and this community actually      established by the founders 125 years ago.
                                                           survived and prospered through the Great
                                                           Depression, and how the baby boomers            It has been my honor to assemble this history.
                                                           impacted housing after WWII. The historical   I hope that you find the information and pictures
                                                           accounts tell the story of how the increased   as interesting as those of us who have worked on
                                                           utilization of the automobile in the United   this project together.
                                                           States moved WSB from the busiest corner        We look fondly upon our past, which has
                                                           in downtown Watertown to a residential        positioned us for a bright future that can
                                                           neighborhood on Clinton Street after          be shared with the next generation of our
                                                           considerable debate by bank officials.  Finally,   community.
                                                           the bank history highlights how the U.S.
                                                           Congress and its deregulation laws changed the
                                                           landscape of banking to what we know today -
                                                           a far cry from what existed in the beginning.
                                                             The people and events in this book have        Mark Lavarnway
                                                           shaped the bank into what it is today.  We are      President & CEO
                                                           proud of our 125-year history.  I believe the
                                                           bank’s founders would also be proud of what
                                          April 22,1936
                         Watertown Daily Times Advertisement  the bank represents to its employees, customers,
                                                           and the community.



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