In a few months, visitors to Decatur, Ill.-based Soy Capital Bank and Trust's newest branch building won't have far to walk if they need a mammogram or an X-ray.
The $203 million-asset institution is building a branch in south Decatur that will house not just the bank but also an outpatient diagnostic center for Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Soy Capital agreed to be the hospital's landlord last year after both parties wanted to build on the same parcel but neither wanted to use the entire plot. The bank decided to construct a $2.5 million building- scheduled to be completed in late summer-to accommodate both uses.
"Necessity is the mother of invention," said Robert C. Smith, president and chief executive officer of Soy Capital.
Mr. Smith said the two businesses don't plan to market their services to each other's clients.
"I think when someone's coming to have a CAT scan, they're not thinking about their banking," Mr. Smith said.
A Florida community bank is lending a helping hand after brush fires damaged more than 100 residences in the area.
Riverside National Bank in Fort Pierce has established a disaster fund to aid victims. The $950 million-asset bank donated $10,000 to the fund and is offering interest-free loans to fire victims.
"A great number of people lost their homes in just a matter of minutes, without warning or time to prepare," said Vernon D. Smith, Riverside's president. "It's our sincere desire to do everything we can to assist those who are now homeless or have lost most of their possessions."
Fires have been raging in southern Florida since April 15. Worst hit along the coast was the town of Port St. Lucie, just down the road from the bank's headquarters.
"Many of the bank's customers and employees live and work in the Port St. Lucie area," Mr. Smith said.
