Anderson retires after 35 years at State Bank of New Richland
FROM OFFICE TO STUDIO — After 35 years of loyal service to the community, Bernie Anderson says farewell to the State Bank of New Richland and says hello to an art-filled retirement. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Exactly two weeks ago, Bernie Anderson boldly traded in his State Bank of New Richland spreadsheets and computer screen for something a bit more abstract.
That’s right folks, after 35 years in the banking business, Anderson has decided to break out the paintbrush like never before.
“Managing the bank has been a very challenging and rewarding job,” Anderson said. “I may miss the challenges but hope to encounter new challenges and successes in my painting.”
Even now, he still can’t verbally express how this drastic change in occupation feels.
“Since the 31st, I have been at the bank almost daily working on cleaning out my office,” Anderson said. “I will probably have a better grasp on how it feels in a few weeks when that is done and I have some office space organized in my studio.”
He can say, however, that finally putting paint to canvas on a more full-time basis means the world to him. He knows how extremely lucky he is.“My retirement open house was a lot of fun,” Anderson said. “Everyone said how much they have enjoyed the friendliness of our staff.”
But that wasn’t the only conversation piece that stuck out for him.
“The question was “What are you going to do now?” Anderson said. “I told people that instead of thinking about balance sheets, income statements and regulations I now get to think about shapes, colors and form.”
And, as far as his replacement goes, he has no qualms about it. He knows his sister, Kristi Harrington, will do a fine job.
“Nepotism aside, she has a stake in this business also,” Anderson said.
“She is very well qualified to manage the bank and will do a great job.”
He also has no misgivings about the bank’s future as a whole. Being family-owned gives it, “A leg up on the competition.”
“We have tremendous personnel,” Anderson said. “When comparing family owned vs. a large corporate out-of-town owner, I think it is quite obvious that local ownership has a stake in the success of the community.”
In his absence, he knows their vast technological advances will continue as well, a phenomenon he says has significantly boosted all banks across the U.S.
“When you think about all the numbers we work with on a daily basis with debit cards and Internet banking, it is really mind boggling,” Anderson said. “I like to tell people that when I first started at the bank the way we made copies was by putting carbon paper between two sheets of paper.”
So, now that the banking chapter of his life has reached completion, the artwork can begin and there’s no telling what things lay ahead. That’s the beauty of it.
“We as a team served our community just the way thousands of other small banks do around the country,” Anderson said. “The whole experience meant a lot more with the ownership factor.”