Consumers National Bank Breaks Ground For New Salem Branch

Minerva, OH—Minerva-based Consumers National Bank broke ground today on a new building for its branch at 141 South Ellsworth Street in Salem. The new building will be constructed on the current site of the bank and the existing building will be razed. The existing building will remain open for lobby and drive-thru traffic during construction. The new building is expected to open in the spring of 2021.

“Our decision to maintain and expand the Salem branch in its present location exemplifies our commitment to the community and to our customers. The existing building, which has housed our Salem operation in various formats since 1975, has become obsolete from an employee, customer, and efficiency perspective,” said Ralph Lober II, President and CEO of Consumers National Bank. “Our new facility will feature the most up to date equipment plus a customer-oriented design and functionality,” he said.

“Consumers National Bank is proud to invest in the local economy through this building project. We are making this investment in Salem and Columbiana County because of our long history in the community and because of our belief in its future. Architect Milton Studer of Minerva designed the building, and we selected a local general contractor, J. Herbert Construction Company, that will utilize local subcontractors and local workers for the construction. As a local business, doing business with other local businesses is essential to Consumers Bank,” said Lober.

“We are grateful to Consumers Bank for the opportunity to construct this beautiful new facility, and for their continued investment into our hometown. They have served the citizens of Salem with great local banking for many years, and thanks to this effort that service will continue long into the future,” said Grant Mingus, Vice President of Operations of J. Herbert Construction.

The bank employs six full-time bankers and one commercial lender at the Salem branch. According to the most recent FDIC Deposit Market Share Report, the branch reports $61 million in deposits and holds 11.61% of the Salem deposit market. The branch serves approximately 2,700 individual and business customers.

The branch portion of the building will feature a modern banking lobby with six stations where relationship bankers can assist with all types of banking transactions, four private offices, and a conference room. The three-lane drive-thru teller windows and night depository will be separated from the drive-up ATM to facilitate traffic flow around the building.

In addition to the retail bank branch, the new layout includes separate office space for the Salem Community Foundation. “We have provided the Foundation rent-free space for many years and are pleased to offer them an upgraded experience with private offices, separate entry, and dedicated signage. We hope the space and visibility helps them fulfill their community-based mission,” said Lober.

“The Salem Community Foundation’s board of directors and staff are extremely grateful for the kindnesses extended by Consumers National Bank for the generous office and meeting space. We are very excited for our continued relationship with Consumers National Bank as we continue to serve and make a positive difference in the community of Salem. The expanded office space will most definitely be a highlight of our community foundation’s 55th year,” said John Tonti, President of the Salem Community Foundation.

^{Caption: Architect’s rendering of Consumers National Bank’s new branchbuilding at 141 South Ellsworth Street in Salem now under construction.}