Historical October 1993 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
At its flood-postponed but much anticipated Friday. October 22, the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council is honoring Central West End Bank for its many contributions to the neighborhood.
The Bank sprang from the neighborhood and has applied its assets here to assist in the revitalization of housing and commercial activity.
The Bank is now a neighborhood fixture at the corner of Waterman and DeBaliviere. Its home is the rehabbed Dorf and Zeller building which once housed a catering business and ice cream parlor and a chocolate shop. Originally, the bank occupied only the west half of the building.
An art gallery occupied the area now containing offices.
In fact, the bank still exhibits some modern art.
The bank was founded in 1979 by a group of people who lived and worked in the area.
They shared a strong faith and confidence in the future growth and development of the west end.
They provide home mortgage services as well as offering a wide range of depository and savings plans.
In 1977, founders of the Central West End Bank testified in Congressional hearings for the passage of the Community Reinvestment Act The bank has received the highest ratings in evaluations based on that act which measure a financial institution’s commitment to the community in which it is located through its loans and services.
It has originated low and moderate income residential mortgage loans, construction loans and refinance loans for housing rehabilitation.
It also offers FHA home improvement loans.
It also provides educational loans. Recently, Central West End Bank officers took part in a course study at the Harvard University Graduate School of Business concerning a module on mortgage banking, community reinvestment, and urban renewal.
As part of its commitment to the neighborhood, Central West End Bank awarded a neighborhood improvement award for exterior home improvements made by residents of Skinker DeBaliviere.
It held a fund raiser to provide bullet proof vests for police officers and produced a calendar of drawings of St. Louis scenes done by high school students. Its commitment to the community continues to this day.
It is assisting the SDCC in its establishment of a revolving loan fund (see article by JoAnn Vatcha) by providing a special payment account. Needless to say many residents of Skinker DeBaliviere have benefited from its loan and banking services. Hopefully, the Mississippi’s waters will recede and we can join together in person on October 22 to celebrate our neighborhood and the Central West End Bank, which has done more than its share to assist in its revitalization.
Original photograph caption
Central West End Bank officers from left: Patty Thiede, Vice President/Treasurer; Kathleen Hamilton, Executive Vice President; Tom Scatizzi, President. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, October 1993.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Page 1 prints continuation on page 7; actual verified continuation appears on page 5.
Original source: SD_Times1993_10.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 5; PDF page(s) 1, 5.
