Riddell National breaks ground for new branch

Celebrating the ground-breaking of Riddell National Bank’s newest branch are, from left, Matt Voris from Myers Engineering; Architect Dan Sanders; bank director Tanya Kessinger; bank Vice Chair John Eder; Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett; bank President/CEO Steve Kidwell; Garmong Construction Regional Manager Lance Gassert; bank Chair John Coughanowr; bank director and former president/CEO Mike Lawson; bank director Dr. Gary Nesty; bank SVP Brad Bush, and director John Tilley.

Riddell National Bank of Brazil, Ind., held a ground-breaking ceremony earlier this month for its newest branch office.

The Oct. 10th event marked the beginning of construction for its fifth branch overall and second in Vigo County. It will be located at 4210 US HWY 41 South, Terre Haute, Ind.

The 3,710-square-foot building will be closely modeled after the bank’s other Vigo County branch, in Sycamore, which opened in 2008. Riddell National will employ six people at the branch following its opening, scheduled for June 2019.

This is the first new branch opening under the bank’s new President/CEO W. Steven Kidwell, who is excited about the bank’s potential for growth. “We’ve got a lot of good things in motion with our customer service and our staff; we’ve got a wonderful staff, and we’re growing,” Kidwell said in a 2017 interview. The bank’s portfolio is “growing at a measured pace” of about five to 10 percent a year. “I just look forward to the future and continuing the brand that we’ve built.”

Kidwell, who was previously executive vice president and chief operating officer, took over from the retiring Mike Lawson last January.

“I really like being an economic engine for the community and helping small business owners make their dreams become a reality,” he added. “Those are really rewarding parts of the job. The staff here are like family to me as well.”

Founded in 1885, the $231 million Riddell National has branches in Clay and Vigo Counties.