How One Customer Took Minster Bank Around the World

When Tom Lathrop accepted a three-year work assignment in Australia, he knew life would change in many ways. New routines, new landscapes, and new challenges came with living 10,000 miles from home. One thing that did not change was his relationship with Minster Bank.

“I knew I would be returning to the New Bremen/St. Marys area after my assignment,” Tom said. “But more importantly, I had developed fantastic relationships at the bank. I was confident they would continue to help me navigate whatever hurdles might arise while I was overseas. Living in a completely different time zone meant I needed to do almost everything electronically, and I trusted Minster Bank to support me.”

Staying Connected Across the Globe

From the moment he landed in Australia, Tom relied on Minster Bank’s digital tools to keep his finances on track. “Their website and app provided me a seamless solution to electronic banking services through my computer and phone,” he said. “It allowed me to handle almost all my banking needs.”

It was not just the technology that made a difference. Minster Bank’s people were there for him as well. Emails, texts, and phone calls bridged the miles and solved problems that would normally have required an in-person visit or original signatures.

“We had several unique situations while I was in Australia,” Tom recalled. “The banking team helped me resolve them from afar in an electronic manner, when normally it might have required walking into the bank.”

The team at the New Bremen branch remember it just as clearly. “It was a unique situation, but we were able to accommodate his needs despite the miles and time of day,” said Julie Uhlenhake, Branch Manager. “Security is huge in these situations and verifying his requests took ‘know your customer’ to a new level.”

Beyond the Distance

Now retired, Tom continues to spend extended periods of time traveling outside the country. No matter where his passport takes him, Minster Bank goes too, ensuring his finances remain safe, accessible, and in good hands.

“It is so refreshing to be able to deal with a local bank full of personable people who are always there and available,” he said. “There is no waiting on hold forever, no navigating endless recorded messages or chat bots. At Minster Bank, you know the people, and they often become your friends.”

The Minster Bank Difference

For Tom, banking close did not mean staying put. It meant banking with people who cared, who made the distance feel shorter, and who were always willing to go above and beyond.

This is what “Bank Close. Go Far.” is all about. Giving customers the confidence to explore, travel, and live their lives to the fullest, knowing Minster Bank is always with them.