Mollie Grube Will Retire From VCNB Board This Year
Ask Mollie Grube about her time on the Vinton County National Bank Board of Directors and she will first tell you about her parents. That’s because Bob and Florence Alt built their life around banking and service to the Bremen community. Her dad was longtime President of the Friendly Bremen Bank and her mom worked there as well. Mollie was asked to take her father’s place as a Director after his passing in 1995.
“I felt an obligation to my dad to do the very best that I could for the bank and so I agreed to do this.”
Thirty years have since passed and she is preparing to retire at the end of this year.
While she grew up in a banking family, Mollie’s heart was in education. During a career that spanned thirty years, she worked with children of all ages as an elementary classroom educator and reading specialist. “I used patience and encouragement to inspire love of learning and love of reading,” she explained.
While Mollie didn’t bring hands-on banking experience to the board, her contributions were invaluable as comprehension, curiosity, patience and commitment to people play a vital role in community banking. Not to mention the banking lessons she learned from “The School of Dad” and from her mother who was also a positive role model known for her willingness to support others. “Their work ethic was strongly modeled for they traveled to work six days a week, no matter the weather. I express deep gratitude to my parents for their wisdom and contributions in making the bank what it is today. They certainly were instrumental in the growth and prosperity of the bank and would be so proud!”
Mollie is appreciative of the bank’s commitment to people and to community causes. “I value the bank’s support for causes and community groups in the bank’s geographical regions that are trying to make a difference,” referencing a recent donation to the Lancaster Rotary Club’s new All-Accessible Playground in Miller Park. “There have been so many things over the years that we have helped and I’m always pleased that we are supportive of these local needs.”
She credits the bank’s leadership for holding onto longtime roots and values even as the bank has grown and moved into new communities and even as the banking industry has changed. She mentioned the threat of fraud, improving technology, and regulatory changes that every bank faces today. “I would like to recognize management for the outstanding leadership they give each day, taking necessary actions and making decisions daily at this difficult time in our history. The extra effort required is surely admired and appreciated.”
At the heart of it all, she says that banking will always be about the people. She quoted former longtime VCNB President Bob Will who said “our people make the difference” and that “our employees are people our customers can rely on.”
“I’m so thankful to have a dedicated group of bankers,” she added. “The integrity, accountability, and leadership of VCNB provides customers with a bank they can rely on. Carrying out the bank’s mission is always the foremost objective. To serve customers and maintain its excellent reputation is at the forefront of what we do.”
Mollie and her husband Ray have been married for 57 years. They live in the Baltimore area and have two grown children and four grandchildren. Time with family and volunteer commitments keep her busy. She is an avid reader as well.
“Thirty years is plenty of time. We have some wonderful people here, wonderful, smart people who are leading the bank and I know we are in good hands. It’s time to let new people with new ideas and expertise have a chance. I have enjoyed being a part of this and watching the bank grow to what it is today. My dad would be so proud,” she said.
Mollie, your family has been a part of our bank for so long, we can hardly imagine what it will be like without you! Enjoy your retirement!