U. S. Bank closing location on Lamar square

U. S. Bank will close its main branch in Lamar on January 2, according to a letter sent to affected customers.

The facility, located at 132 W. 10th, has been a staple on the northwest corner of the Lamar square since 1919 when it opened as Barton County State Bank. 

It went through a number of names since it sold in 1994, including Citizens Bank of Southwest Missouri, First Star and Mercantile Bank before coming under the U. S. Bank umbrella on August 9, 2001.

U. S. Bank officials explained their reasoning for closing the facility:

Customers' banking preferences and behaviors are changing, influencing how and where we operate. As a result, we are consolidating some of our physical locations.

The changes will not affect customers' accounts, according to the letter, which was signed by Jeremy Goebel, district leader.