Fairfax bank planning branch in Amana

Fairfax State Savings Bank is planning a branch in Amana, its first physical expansion since 1924.

Pending federal regulatory approval, the office named 'Bankhaus” will begin operating in August in a building at 4304 220th Trail in Amana owned by the Amana Society. The bank operates an automated teller machine (ATM) at that location.

Bankhaus has received approval from the Iowa Division of Bank and is waiting for final review by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

The Amana branch will include an independently-owned coffee shop, Neuhaus Kaffee, in addition to banking services such as deposit accounts, mortgages, commercial and agricultural lending, a drive through and an ATM.

The coffee shop will be named for David Neuhaus, president of Fairfax State Savings Bank, and only the second president in the history of the bank.

Patrick Slater, senior vice president of Fairfax State Savings Bank, noted in a news release that the bank has eight ATM locations in Amana, Cedar Rapids, Fairfax and Walford, but no physical branches.

'Our strategy is to extend our presence into growing southwest Corridor towns such as Amana, Tiffin, Marengo, Oxford and Norway,” Slater said.

OPN Architects in Cedar Rapids has been retained to design the 1,000-square-foot office. Bankhaus will offer amenities such as cellphone charging stations, Wi-Fi and a state-of-the-art smart power system, with features such as LED lighting.

'We are looking to expand as a bank of the future - something a little different,” said Patti Lopata, assistant vice president and manager of Bankhaus. 'The coffee shop will provide a more congenial atmosphere and could be used as a venue for community gatherings and roundtables.”

Founded in 1924, Fairfax State Savings Bank at 409 Vanderbilt St. in Fairfax has assets of nearly $150 million.