May 14, 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

5 things you don’t know about me…..Campbell Flessner

August 7, 2019

August 7, 2019

Campbell is in the running for the title of Little Princess! She is six years old. We asked her to...

Deadline approaching for Pageant

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

The deadline to compete in the Champaign County Fair Queen and Little Miss Pageant is this week. The Champaign County...

Cummings hopes to continue work as trustee

December 7, 2020

December 7, 2020

Village Trustee Terri Cummings has big goals for the village. Short term, Cummings hopes to contribute to the betterment of...

Senior spotlight: Kassie Kelso

May 16, 2019

May 16, 2019

Leading up to graduation, we asked five seniors five questions. Here are Kassie Kelso’s answers. What will you be doing...

White Christmas on tap for area

December 23, 2022

December 23, 2022

This Christmas could be special weather-wise. Steve Hilberg, the Retired, Director of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, said this won’t...

‘He was one of a kind that can never be replaced’

July 19, 2023

July 19, 2023

Gerald McClendon always wanted to help people. His Facebook page even said, “I enjoy helping as many people as I...

Project honoring service members to be continued

March 4, 2019

March 4, 2019

The SJO Service Member Project is being reinstated thanks to two local women. Mindy Reynolds and Lee Janusch want to...

10 things you don’t know about me… Kathy McCormick

May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

What is your favorite childhood memory? Playing outside with the neighborhood kids – every summer day until dark. What was...

CU Feed the Need to distribute food this week

August 26, 2020

August 26, 2020

CU Feed the need has even more food to distribute this week thanks to the St. Joseph Food Pantry. The...

Hometown appeal: The Wheelhouse earns Business of the Year honors

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

When the Wheelhouse opened in 2017, it was unlike anything in St. Joseph. And still is. The farm-to-table restaurant owned...

10 things you don’t know about me… Angi Landis

June 27, 2022

June 27, 2022

1.  I’ve wanted to be a real estate agent since my girls were little.  They are 27 and 22 (will...

Voges urges St. Joseph residents to celebrate America

July 3, 2020

July 3, 2020

World War II veteran Bruce Voges loves America. When he told his kids he wanted to have a Fourth of...

‘I’m so excited for this journey’ Schlueter to open restaurant in former Scratch location

October 10, 2022

October 10, 2022

40 Eighty-Eight is coming to St. Joseph. Owner Christian Schlueter said he chose the name for his new restaurant because...

Senior Spotlight: Libby Rowland

May 13, 2019

May 13, 2019

Leading up to graduation, we asked five seniors five questions. First up is senior Libby Rowland. What will you be...

Senior Spotlight… Anna Wentzloff

January 27, 2020

January 27, 2020

What are your plans after graduation?My plan after graduation is to attend college to become a Child Life Specialist concentrating...

Comments
Leave a Reply