Western States Bank is Wauneta is one of three local branches that has been purchased by Sandhills State Bank.
    The sale was announced late last week and bank customers were notified by mail.
    Sandhills State Bank also bought Western States branches in Grant and Ogallala.
    Bank officials said local customers should notice few changes.
    “They’ll get new checks and debit cards,” said Brenda Anderson, president of the Wauneta branch.
    Kyle Arganbright, chief development officer for Sandhills, said the purchases are part of the bank’s plan. “We’ve been looking for opportunities to expand our footprint in western Nebraska.”
    The three towns are “strong communities that were really attractive to us,” Arganbright said.
    In particular, Wauneta “serves an area that really has some good diversified agriculture. And the fact that this bank was the Wauneta bank for generations is really good for the town and a neat opportunity for us.
    “The whole reason was there just weren’t any local banks left in western Nebraska. We wanted to create a bank that was local throughout the whole region and could respond to community needs.”
    Purchase of the three locations will give Sandhills State Bank a dozen branch offices.
    Arganbright and Anderson both said all current bank personnel will stay at the Wauneta location.
    “Customers are still going to be able to talk to their same bankers,” Arganbright said.

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