POPLAR BLUFF BANK JOINS ERA OF VIDEOCONFERENCING

POPLAR BLUFF -- First Community Bank of Poplar Bluff has joined the new era of digital technology.

First Community officers at Poplar Bluff's administration center can discuss and share information with colleagues, face-to-face, at the bank's operation center at Malden via "DigiLine," designed to provide videoconferencing.

"The system will change the way we do business because it will enable our employees to talk face-to-face with customers and colleagues who may be miles apart," said Scott Spencer, president/chief executive officer at First Community. "It also gives our employees access to data and other resources, making banking at our five locations more efficient and productive."

Although the bank is on-line at only two locations now, bank officials are already planning to expand the DigiLine service and offer desktop videoconferencing at the bank's Bernie, Campbell and Holcomb offices.

"That will come later this year," said N. Timothy Frye, the bank's executive vice president.

Frye explains the new system.

"We have twin 27-inch televisions at Poplar Bluff and Malden," said Frye. "On one of the screens we see the Malden people and on the other we see ourselves as they see us. It's just like being there in person."

"We're excited about the new system," added Frye. "It means instant communications with our other branches."

DigiLine is the newest digital technology from Southwestern Bell.

Integrated Services Digital Technology enables high-speed, simultaneous transmission of voice, video and data over regular telephone lines, said Greg Kubik, area manager, external affairs, Southwestern Bell.

First Community Bank plans to use the service a number of ways, "including videoconferencing with customers, officer meetings between the five bank locations, employee training, data transmission, and speedier access to customer accounts and fund transfers," said Frye.

The technology will also allow the bank to database references between the Missouri Banking Association and the American Banking Association.

"ISDN technology allows businesses like First Community, with five locations, to be more productive and efficient," said Kubik.

A number of businesses, hospitals and schools throughout the state, are using the ISDN services, added Lea Ann Champion, vice president/general manager Southwestern Bell for Eastern Missouri.

First Community Bank, with assets of $112 million, is primarily owned by the Belknap family, through Bootheel Bancorp Inc.