MARION — Banterra Bank, the region’s largest locally-owned bank with locations in six states, is celebrating their 50-year anniversary with special events in branches throughout their footprint on Friday, July 18th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All locations will offer celebration activities including refreshments and giveaways, and there will be three main events. The main events will be in Marion, Illinois at 3201 Banterra Drive; Paducah, Kentucky at 5200 Hinkleville Road; and Cape Girardeau, Missouri at 1650 N. Kingshighway. Each of these locations will have food trucks or offerings, radio remotes, photo ops, ribbon cuttings, prizes and giveaways. Each event will also be collecting donations for a selected charity.
It is an honor to be celebrating 50 years for a company that started as a small bank in Ridgway, Illinois in 1975 to now being one of the nation’s top community banks,” said Jeff May, President and CEO of Banterra. “Thanks to the leadership of our chairman and founder, Everett Knight, our board of directors and executive management team, and our loyal customers and dedicated team members, Banterra Bank has grown tremendously over the years, helping customers and communities to also grow. We are proudly based in Southern Illinois and employ more than 500 team members. If you consider over the years the contribution our company has made to economic development, personal financial growth and community support to charities and organizations, it is definitely a milestone worth celebrating.
Banterra has been celebrating throughout 2025 with social media trivia and giveaways as well as internal contests including 1970s photos of team members and trivia, plus prizes and free retro t-shirts for all team members. They also launched a Spotify page, allowing team members in each region to provide a 70s playlist to celebrate Banterra’s anniversary. Throughout July, they have engaged their team members and customers by launching branch and office contests that are 1970s-themed. Each week in July, team members are challenged with a different weekly contest based on themes which include 70s décor, 70s music, 70s fashion, and 70s movies.
Banterra has created a 50th Anniversary page on their website that includes a Banterra Timeline, Banterra’s Culture Statement, customer testimonials, event invitations, and links to Banterra’s social media and Spotify.
Banterra’s main celebrations will be on Friday, July 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with activities at three locations. Each location will have giveaways including Polaroid cameras, retro Bluetooth speakers and $50 gift cards.
Additional event details are as follows:
Marion. Illinois — 3201 Banterra Drive (located in front of Home Depot)
Join Marion Chamber of Commerce and Banterra team members for a ribbon cutting at 12 pm. Tony’s Mobile Grill and America’s Ice Cream will be on hand providing food to visitors. Snap a picture with the Banterra 50th Photo Op featuring an ID Buzz from Ike Volkswagen plus 70s retro props. Bring a donation for the food pantry at Marion Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Some recommended donation items include canned goods, dry pasta, beans, tea, coffee, peanut butter, spaghetti sauce and hygiene products such as laundry pods, toothpaste, deodorant, and body wash.
Paducah. Kentucky — 5200 Hinkleville Road (next door to Sonic)
Join Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce and Banterra team members for a ribbon cutting at 1 1:30 am. KC’s Mini Donuts will be on hand providing lunch options and donuts to visitors. Snap a picture with the Banterra 50th Photo Op featuring a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass courtesy of Chip Wynn Motors plus 70s retro props. With a monetary donation to Paducah Cooperative Ministry (PCM), you can get three throws to dunk a banker or volunteer at the PCM Dunk Tank.
Cape Girardeau. Missouri — 1650 N. Kingshighway (next door to Plaza Tire)
Join Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce and Banterra team members for a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. Hot dogs, snow cones and drinks will be served. Classic Rock 100.7 KGMO will have a live radio remote with prizes and giveaways. Snap a picture with the Banterra 50th Photo Op and make a monetary donation to Special Olympics to get three throws to dunk a banker or volunteer at the Special Olympics Dunk Tank.
