Wheatland Bank celebrates 30 years in Ritzville

RITZVILLE - Wheatland Bank is celebrating it's 30th anniversary this month, with treats handed out to customers at the drive-through window throughout the month of May.

Wheatland Bank, a locally owned and independent community bank opened in 1979 in Davenport. The Ritzville branch was the fourth one to open, in May of 1990, following branches opened in Wilbur and Odessa.

"Prior to Ritzville opening, Wheatland Bank only had branches in Lincoln County," Dolly Blankenship, Service Manager in Ritzville, said. "In the years since, Wheatland Bank has opened 10 additional branches located in eight counties throughout Eastern Washington."

Blankenship said many of the original employees in Ritzville stayed on with Wheatland for fulfilling, life-long careers.

"Dione Jantz joined the bank as a teller in the Ritzville branch in 1994, and has been with the bank ever since, serving in multiple positions, including her recent promotion to Senior Vice President/Loan Operations Manager for the bank," Blankenship said. "Additionally, Joe Druffel, Executive Vice President/Chief Credit Officer for Wheatland Bank came from Ritzville."

Blankenship said Gary Galbreath has served on the Wheatland Bank Board of Directors for several years.

"Other locals who worked at Wheatland Bank include Leslie Adams and Stephen Banner," Blankenship said. "Leslie managed the Ritzville branch for 11 years before retiring in 2010. Stephen started as a teller here at the branch and now works as a Bankcard Services Representative for the bank."

The Ritzville Branch currently employs five, with the 141 Wheatland Bank employees working throughout Eastern Washington.