News
Sara Evers has joined La Porte Savings Bank
November 12, 2015 - La Porte Savings Bank is pleased to announce Sara Evers has joined the company as a Branch Manager. Evers formerly worked for Farmers State Bank in LaGrange for 20 years before moving to the La Porte area. She brings experience as an assistant vice president, branch manager and lending officer.
Evers has been involved in numerous community service organizations and is an active Junior Achievement volunteer. Contact her at La Porte Savings Bank-Eastside, 301 Boyd Boulevard, La Porte, or by calling (219)326-0500.
La Porte Savings Bank Supports Local Symphony
La Porte, IN (September 30, 2015) La Porte Savings Bank supported the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra with a $3500 donation for the Fall SYMPHONY AND SCIENCE Children's Concert.
Each year the Symphony presents a special performance for over 5,000 students and teachers from the La Porte, Lake and Porter county schools. The mission of the LCSO is to enrich the cultural lives of people of all ages within and beyond La Porte County through the experience of excellent live orchestra performances. For the past twelve years, La Pore Savings Bank has helped sponsor the Children's Concert to ensure area school children are included in this mission.
Pictured L – R: Tim King, Interim Executive Director LCSO; Michele Thompson, President, La Porte Savings Bank; and Michael Drayton, LCSO Board President
McKenzie Haite Receives La Porte Savings Bank – SLICER Branch Scholarship
The La Porte Savings Bank is pleased to announce the La Porte Savings Bank SLICER Branch Scholarship has been award to McKenzie Haite.
Ms. Haite was a La Porte High School volleyball standout and achieved a 4.0 grade point average. She was a member of the LPHS National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and contributed to numerous service projects and organizations while managing to work part-time. She will attend Grace College & Theological Seminary to study Business.
The SLICER Branch scholarship requires a graduating senior to be in good standing with plans to attend an accredited vocational school, community college, college, or university.
PHOTO: McKenzie Haite receives a $1000 LPSB Scholarship check from Raeanne Fisher, LPHS Slicer Branch Manager.
Tiffany Stacy named La Porte Savings Bank-Westville Manager
June 30, 2015 - The La Porte Savings Bank is pleased to announce Tiffany Stacy has been promoted to the position of Westville Branch Manager. Ms. Stacy has over 13 years of banking experience. She joined La Porte Savings Bank in 2006 as a teller and has served as a customer service representative and assistant branch manager prior to her recent promotion.
Ms. Stacy provides expertise in consumer lending, personal and business deposit products. Visit her at the La Porte Savings Bank-Westville, 1 Parkman Drive, or call (219)785-7280.
Watterson named La Porte Savings Bank – Eastside Branch Manager
June 30, 2015 - La Porte Savings Bank is pleased to announce Joseph Watterson has been named Manager of their Eastside Branch. Waterson has more than 11 years of merchant bankcard, loan & collections experience. He joined
La Porte Savings Bank in 2004 and has served as a customer service representative and most recently as manager of the banks Michigan City branch location.
Watterson is a La Porte native. A La Porte County United Way, Junior Achievement, and Michigan City Rotary Club volunteer, Watterson also actively serves his church and its youth group.
Watterson provides consumer lending, personal and business product expertise. Visit him at the La Porte Savings Bank-Eastside, 310 Boyd Boulevard, or call (219)326-0550).
La Porte Savings Bank names Karin Contri Michigan City Branch Manager.
June 23, 2015 - La Porte Savings Bank is pleased to announce Karin Contri has been named the manager of its Michigan City branch. Contri is a native of Michigan City and a graduate of Michigan City High School. With 11 years of banking experience, Contri specializes in merchant service information, lending and deposit services.
Contri is an active volunteer for the In-Patient Unit of Hospice - Franciscan Communities of St. Anthony Hospital in Michigan City and is the treasurer of the Westville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Contact her at La Porte Savings Bank–2000 Franklin Street, or by calling (219)879-5364.
David Stephenson
June 1, 2015 - La Porte Savings Bank is pleased to announce David K. Stephenson has joined the bank as Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer. He has over thirty years of experience in retail banking and commercial lending.
Stephenson is a graduate of Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He has been involved in many service and professional organizations throughout northwest Indiana including the IU Northwest School of Business Advisory Board, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Company Board of Directors, Tradewinds Services Board of Directors and the Lakeshore and Crossroads Chambers of Commerce. A SBA Small Business Advocate of the Year award recipient, Stephenson has extensive involvement in area economic development and charitable organizations.
Contact Stephenson at La Porte Savings Bank – Chesterton office, 851 Indian Boundary Road, or by calling 219.926.8961.
La Porte Savings Bank Named MAXI Award Winner
La Porte Savings Bank won a MAXI Award at the 2015 Mega Conference of the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA) on May 13 in downtown Indianapolis. MAXI Awards are presented annually to IBA-member institutions to recognize excellence in bank advertising and marketing. La Porte Savings Bank won for their Money Isn't Our Business, YOU ARE deposit campaign.
The Indiana Bankers Association supports Indiana banking through issues analysis, professional education, and products and services that enhance financial institutions' ability to serve their communities.
S. Joe DeHaven (left), president & CEO of the Indiana
Bankers Association, presents the MAXI Award for
marketing excellence to Liz Kaminski, Marketing
Manager, La Porte Savings Bank.
Jennifer Smart has joined La Porte Savings Bank
April 8, 2015 – La Porte Savings Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Jennifer Smart as a Mortgage Loan Originator. Smart has more than twenty (20) years of residential mortgage experience. She earned a bachelor's degree in public relations and advertising from Purdue University and is a member of the La Porte County Association of Realtors and the Indiana Mortgage Bankers Association.
Smart will serve the Michigan City, Coolspring and Westville branches. Contact her at La Porte Savings Bank – Michigan City, 2000 Franklin Street, or by calling (219)879-5364.
Creativity honored at ADDY awards
March 2, 2015 - La Porte Savings Bank won a Silver Award at the American Advertising Federation (AAF) of Michiana annual competition held on February 26 in downtown South Bend at the Morris Performing Arts Center. The event was sponsored by AAF Michiana, local chapter of the American Advertising Federation. The La Porte Savings Bank 'Mortgages Made Simple' fall/winter 2014 campaign was an integrated campaign that used a mix of print collateral, outdoor and radio advertising.
The Addy Awards are considered the industry's version of the Oscars and is attended by industry professionals and students.
LPSB Cooks to Support IU Health Foundation and Healthy Kids
March 12, 2015 - Our very own LPSB chefs took part in the IU Health Foundation 'Cooking with Thor' competition held March 8 at La Porte High School. The goal of this first time, family friendly completion was to demonstrate that good food can be healthy, fast (they only had 30 minutes), easy on the budget, and fun! A panel of judges including 4th grade Lil' F.I.S.H. Club students selected the overall winner from fifteen locally sponsored teams. The LPSB team planned and prepared the meal with the guidance of Mentor Chef Brad Hindsley, owner of Spire Farm to Fork Restaurant in La Porte.
La Porte Savings Bank chefs (left to right) were Deb Varnak, SVP Human Resources; Rob Rothermel, Facilities Manager; and Delora Burke, HR Generalist.
La Porte Bancorp, INC Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend
January 21, 2015 La Porte Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: LPSB) today announced that its Board of Directors declared on January 20, 2015 a quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per common share. The dividend will be paid on or about March 5, 2015 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 17, 2015. This represents a dividend yield of 1.3% based on the price per share of $12.65 at the close of markets on January 16, 2015, the business date prior to which the Board approved the dividend.
La Porte Bancorp, Inc. is a Maryland chartered stock holding company. The Company is headquartered at 710 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana. Founded in 1871, The La Porte Savings Bank is an Indiana-chartered savings bank that operates seven full service locations in the La Porte and Porter County regions in Northwest Indiana and a mortgage loan production office in St. Joseph, Michigan. As a community-oriented savings bank, the Bank offers a variety of deposit and loan products to individuals and small businesses. Investors may obtain additional information about La Porte Bancorp, Inc. and the Bank on the Internet at www.laportesavingsbank.com under Investor Relations.
Community Banking Thrives at 5-Star La Porte Savings Bank
January 2015 – La Porte Savings Bank, La Porte, Indiana is proud to announce it has earned BAUERFINANCIAL's 5-Star Superior rating for strength and security, proof positive that you don't have to be the biggest to be the best.
BAUERFINANCIAL INC., Coral Gables, Florida, the nation's bank rating firm, has been evaluating and rating banks since 1983. A 5-Star Superior rating indicates that La Porte Savings Bank is one of the strongest in the nation, excelling in areas of capital, loan quality, profitability and more. In fact, La Porte Savings Bank has earned this highest rating for the most recent 100 consecutive quarters which secures it an even more elite status as a "Best of Bauer Bank". This highest honor is reserved for those banks that have maintained the 5-Star rating for 25 years or longer.
"Local decisions, responsive service and a dedication to making the community a better place to live. These are the hallmarks of community banks and they are alive and thriving at La Porte Savings Bank", champions Karen L. Dorway, president of BauerFinancial. "Community banks have an understanding of what the community needs and provide the financial support tailored to those needs. The money deposited into a community bank is loaned back out to the community. It all stays local", she continued.
This year La Porte Savings Bank will be celebrating 144 years of service to the community. Established in 1871 La Porte Savings Bank (www.thelpsb.com) currently operates through seven conveniently located branch offices in Chesterton, La Porte, Michigan City and Westville.
Community Health Needs Assessment - Please Participate!
January 16, 2015- Franciscan St. Anthony Health –Michigan City and IU Health La Porte Hospital are reaching out to La Porte County residents to get their views on the most important health needs in their communities. Please take five to seven minutes to share what you think are the most pressing health needs in our community by clicking on the following survey link surveymonkey.com/s/inhealthneedssurvey .
Resident responses to the online survey will be used to help each hospital determine its community benefit strategies for the years 2016-2018. In 2013, Franciscan St. Anthony Health Michigan City and IU Health La Porte Hospital invested more than $98 million to improve the health of the community and provide free or reduced cost healthcare to qualifying residents.
Please take a few moments to help guide the hospitals' strategies to make the most impact in the health of our community.
Booth named 2014 LPCAR Affiliate of the Year
January 16, 2015 – Gary Booth, Vice President Residential Mortgage Lending for La Porte Savings Bank, was named the 2014 La Porte County Association of Realtors (LPCAR) Affiliate of the Year. The award was presented at the group's first meeting of the new year held January 14.
Each year the La Porte County Association of Realtors presents the award to an affiliate member who has demonstrated continued support and participation in the association. Booth was recognized for his outstanding support of the association goals, mission, projects and events which include fundraisers such as the Annual Deserving Children's Charity Auction. Booth has over 30 years of banking and mortgage lending experience and excels at customer and community service.
La Porte Savings Bank common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under LPSB. La Porte Savings Bank operates branch locations throughout La Porte and Porter Counties and has served the community since 1871 providing a broad range of financial products and services. La Porte Savings Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member of the FDIC.
Salvation Army
December 23, 2014 - La Porte Savings continued its long history of generous giving again this holiday season. Pictured (l to r) are Joe Watterson, La Porte Savings Bank-Michigan City, Branch Manager presenting a $1000 donation to Lieutenant Bill Brutto representing the Michigan City Salvation Army. La Porte Savings Bank made donations to food pantries in Chesterton, La Porte, Michigan City, Rolling Prairie and Westville to honor our customers and support the communities which we serve.
Fire Department Donation
December 3, 2014 - The La Porte Savings Bank-Westville presented the Westville Community Fire Department with a $500 donation to assist in the purchase of new Turn-Out Gear and to refurbish the department fire truck.
Shown in the photo are Karin Contri, La Porte Savings Bank Branch Manager; and Fire Department Representatives Matthew Holowell and Bobby Fowler.
Boo at the Zoo
October 25, 2014 - Ghosts, goblins, princess and Zooperheros had a frightfully good day trick or treating from local business sponsored booths at the Washington Park - BOO AT THE ZOO. La Porte Savings Bank- Michigan City branch staff donned their Halloween finery and helped support this annual event. All reports indicate it was a SCREAMING success.
LPSB Supports Housing Opportunities
September 30, 2014 - Members of our La Porte Savings Bank-Chesterton Branch recently presented a $1000 donation to Housing Opportunities at their Valparaiso headquarters. Housing Opportunities is a HUD-approved, state-certified, housing non-profit agency that serves Northwest Indiana . The organization assists families facing homelessness with homeless housing programs, foreclosure prevention, homebuyer education classes, a community food pantry and more. All services are aimed at creating self-reliance and long-term housing security for their clients. Visit the Housing Opportunities website to learn more http://housing-opportunities.com/index.php.
Westville Pumpkin Parade
October 4, 2014 - Our LPSB team was all smiles at the Westville Pumpkin Parade! The Westville Branch was represented by staff, friends and family at the annual parade celebrating fall and the community of Westville.
Dunebrook Dragon Races
September 6, 2014 - It was fun in the sun at the first annual Dunebrook Dragon Boat Races. Teams took to La Porte's Stone Lake to raise funds for Dunebrook and its programs benefiting local children and families. Our LPSB team pulled on their dragon hats and had great fun building team spirit throughout the fiercely competitive race day!
Jim Kypuros Joins La Porte Savings Bank
October 1, 2014 - La Porte Savings Bank is pleased to announce Jim Kypuros has joined the bank as a Mortgage Loan Originator. Kypuros has over twenty-five years of mortgage lending experience in the Chicago market. He is an experienced, customer service oriented lender specializing in conventional, VA and FHA home loans.
Kypuros holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University – Calumet. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Sales and Marketing Council of the South Suburban Home Builders Association and has also served as their President.
Contact Jim at the La Porte Savings Bank – Main Office, 710 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, or by calling 219.362.7511.
Michael J. Utterback joins as Vice President of Commercial Lending
August 12, 2014 - La Porte Savings Bank–Chesterton Branch is pleased to announce Michael J. Utterback has joined the bank as Vice President of Commercial Lending. He has over twenty years of commercial lending experience in both community and national bank settings. Utterback specializes in commercial real estate and community development lending, helping to generate new opportunities for businesses.
Utterback's education includes the Federal Reserve Community Development Lending School, American Banking Institute Commercial Lending School, and Governors State University. He has been involved in many service and professional organizations including the Porter County Builders Association, Homebuilders of Northwest Indiana, Illinois Housing Council, Southside Community Investors Association, Neighborhood Housing Services, and the Villages of Sand Creek Homeowners Association.
Contact Mike at La Porte Savings Bank – Chesterton, 851 Indian Boundary Road, or by calling 219.926.8961.
La Porte Savings Bank Is Pleased To Announce the Following Promotions
August 25, 2014 - Gary Booth has been named Vice President, Residential Mortgage Lending. He has over 30 years of banking and mortgage lending experience. Booth joined La Porte Savings Bank in 2013 as Residential Mortgage Loan Manager.
Dawn Lara has been named Assistant Vice President, Credit Administration. She has over 20 years of banking experience and holds an MBA from Indiana University and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin.
Shellee Nelson has been named Assistant Vice President, Credit Manager. She has over 20 years of banking experience. She earned a Bachelor's Degree from Purdue North Central and earned her CPA in 1990. Nelson serves on the Board and as Treasurer for Pines Village Retirement Communities in Valparaiso; serves on the Allocations committee for the United Way of Porter County; and serves on the Independent Review Team for the Regional Development Company in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Kim Presley has been named Assistant Vice President, Sales Development Officer. She has over 29 years of banking experience. Presley joined La Porte Saving Bank in 2007, most recently serving as Sales Development Manager. Presley actively serves on the Boards of Directors for the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra and Women in Leadership.
Nick Shirk has been named Assistant Vice President, Information Technology. He received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University, a MBA in Finance from the University of Notre Dame, and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin. Shirk is an avid runner and has served as a school buddy for the Big Brother/Big Sister program.
LPHS iPad Winner
July 7, 2014 - La Porte Savings Bank is pleased to announce Jordie Saunders as the LPHS Slicer Branch transaction giveaway winner. Saunders won a wireless Apple iPad to help him navigate online banking with ease! For information about Slicer Branch accounts or any La Porte Savings Bank products and services, please visit any of our conveniently located branches, or call us at 219.362.7511.
PHOTO: LPHS Senior, Jordie Saunders and Slicer Branch Manager, Raeanne Fisher.
Kesling Middle School Art Show
June 11, 2014 - La Porte Savings Bank recently hosted the winners of the Kesling Middle School Art Show at their Main Office location. The show featured student artists from grades 6 through 8. The mediums used included watercolor, pen and ink, pencil, pottery and more.
La Porte Savings Bank has sponsored the prizes for Kesling students for many years and is proud to host their annual show.
La Porte Savings Bank Named MAXI Award Winner
May 7, 2014 - La Porte Savings Bank won a MAXI Award at the Mega Conference of the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA) on April 30 in downtown Indianapolis. MAXI Awards are presented annually to IBA-member institutions to recognize bank marketing excellence in Indiana. La Porte Savings Bank won the Maxi for couchloans.com in the category of loan campaigns.
La Porte Savings Bank locations serve northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan and provide lending services to customers throughout the United States. La Porte Savings Bank common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under LPSB.
La Porte Savings Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member of the FDIC.
La Porte Savings Bank Wins American Advertising Federations ADDY Awards
March 3, 2014 - La Porte Savings Bank was a winner in the recent ADDY Awards held in Downtown South Bend at the WNIT Studios. The Banks mortgage campaign, couchloans.com, won both a Gold ADDY and a Best of Show: Print ADDY Award. Best of Show award winners are selected from the gold winners.
Industry professionals and students attended the awards program, the advertising industry's version of the Oscars, sponsored by the American Advertising Federation of Michiana.
The competition is the first level of a three-tiered national completion conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation. The ADDY Awards, founded in 1960 and implemented by the AAF in 1968 as a national advertising competition, is the largest creative competition of its kind and features more than 50,000 entrants each year. The competition comprises three judging phases; local, regional, and national. Having won at the local level, La Porte Savings Bank will advance further in the competition and compete in the upcoming regional contest.
National Wear Red Day - Play for Jake Day
February 14, 2014 - La Porte Savings Bank staff members were all smiles when they sponsored a staff jeans day in honor of Heart Month and National Wear Red Day. Proceeds from the event support the Play for Jake Foundation.
The Play For Jake Foundation provides local students with heart screenings that are not provided during a typical school physical. More than 7,000 young people under 18 year of age die from undetected heart conditions each year. One-third of these deaths may have been prevented through a simple, inexpensive heart screening.
The Play for Jake Foundation was founded to honor Jake West, the 17 year old football and lacrosse player from La Porte that collapsed unexpectedly during football practice last Fall. It was later discovered that he had an undetected heart condition called ARVD – Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy.
La Porte Savings Bank Receives 2013 Relay for Life Team Excellence Award
January 16, 2014 - The La Porte Savings Bank was recently honored by the American Cancer Society - Lakeshore Division with the 2013 Relay for Life Team Excellence Award. This recognition marks the second consecutive year the La Porte Savings Bank Lifesavers received the award for raising the most money during Relay for Life area events. The La Porte Savings Bank Lifesavers team was made-up of La Porte Savings Bank staff, friends and family, and raised $13,622 to be used for cancer research, information and services.