January 23, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

A familiar face joins Longview Bank

Sara Bryan has always had a passion for helping people.

That passion was instilled in her by her father who worked for Primerica which provides insurance, investment, and financial services to middle-income families in the United States and Canada.

“I grew up in a family with a financial background,” Bryan said. “My father was a representative with Primerica and enjoyed helping people plan their futures.”

Bryan, who now works as a universal banker at the St. Joseph Longview Bank, said the best thing about her job is helping people.

“I enjoy helping people,” she said. “Whether it’s through an issue they don’t understand or have any control over, or if it’s helping them save and plan for their futures.”

Bryan said she learned how important financial services can be for families by watching her father help so many people.

“I watched my dad help people get out of debt and change their futures,” she said. “I remember the members of our church coming to him and showing their appreciation. That’s the level of service I strive to live up to.”

Bryan started at Longview earlier this fall after working at another bank in the St. Joseph community for many years.

“What I like best about the St. Joseph Community is the hometown feel,” she said. “You can walk into any store or business and you are guaranteed to see a friend or family member of a friend. St Joseph is a town where people go the extra mile and are willing to lend a hand.”

Bryan said she was happy to join the team at Longview because it is truly a community bank where the customers are like family and not just numbers on a report.

“I have the privilege to sit down with my customers and get to know them better,” she said.

Bryan said a lot of her customers she knows and built a relationship with at her previous employer.

“ I am proud to say those customers have become friends and I now get to continue those relationships through Longview,” she said.

Bryan hopes to learn more about Longview, grow its customer base, and continue being the banker where customers become friends.

“I thoroughly enjoy the St Joseph Community and the great people that make it the community it is,” she said.   “I chose to stay here because of the people. I look forward to serving my current clients, watching their little ones grow up, start their own families, and helping them as well.”
 

in Life, People
Banner
Related Posts

SJO FFA holds petting zoo

February 21, 2019

February 21, 2019

An annual tradition is taking place at St. Joseph-Ogden High School today—the SJO FFA petting zoo to celebrate National FFA...

‘I will always have memories that I won’t forget’ by Kenly Taylor

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

Hello! I’d like to take a few minutes to welcome each and every one of you to the St. Joseph-Ogden...

‘We lost a great young man’

October 22, 2024

October 22, 2024

When Corey Thompsen was in high school at St. Joseph-Ogden, he and his fellow cross-country runners would race across the...

‘I have absolutely loved portraying her’

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Sophia McDade loves everything about the Addams Family production. The senior, who is acting in her second show with the...

10 things you don’t know about me… Leslie Landreth

September 17, 2019

September 17, 2019

Leslie Landreth owner of Little Bloomers Child Care tells us 10 things we don’t know about her! This post is...

Kids Say…

August 1, 2019

August 1, 2019

Students from PVO South tell us if they would like to be a farmer. This post is sponsored by Longview...

10 Things you don’t know about me… Terri Rein

November 6, 2019

November 6, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to give us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week we spoke to...

5 things you don’t know about me… Will Rubach

August 8, 2019

August 8, 2019

Will is in the running for the title of Little Prince! He is six years old. We asked him to...

More than a coach: SJO to honor Duval with field dedication ceremony Friday night

August 19, 2021

August 19, 2021

An educator. A coach. A friend. A husband. A father. A community icon. On Friday night the community and high...

Daily Exercise Recommendations

April 16, 2021

April 16, 2021

By: Christie Clinic Department of Family Medicine We all know physical activity is good for our overall health, but many...

Kids Say

August 1, 2019

August 1, 2019

Students from PVO South tell us if they would like to be a farmer. This post is sponsored by Longview...

Auto shop offering free oil changes to healthcare workers

June 12, 2020

June 12, 2020

St. Joseph Automotive and Diesel is helping the people who help us. During the month of June, in collaboration with...

10 things you don’t know about me… Brad Krall

February 20, 2019

February 20, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week it is Brad Krall,...

Kids say…

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

This week the students are second graders at Prairieview-Ogden South. This post is sponsored by Longview Bank. Would you like...

What are some good ways to deal with stress?

November 10, 2021

November 10, 2021

By Jeanelle Murphy, DO Stress is part of life and the human body has a built in system to deal...

Comments
Leave a Reply