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Banking on Relationships - Amira & Shane 

Shane Yaeger has been banking with financial institutions in the same south St. Louis County neighborhood since he started his first business more than 20 years ago.

His father, Ernie Yaeger, was a lifelong customer of the former Southern Commercial Bank, so Shane grew up banking at the same institution.

“When I got into buying real estate back in 2009, you did work on a handshake and you went in and did the paperwork later,” Yaeger said.

When Southern Commercial merged with Midwest Bank Centre in 2015, Shane stayed at the South Lindbergh branch until Midwest closed in 2019. A year later, Shane decided to switch to State Bank, which had recently opened a branch at 6969 S. Lindbergh Boulevard.

“I was happy when I moved over to State Bank,” Yaeger said. “Things are a lot different in the banking industry now, but when I go into the bank I know all the tellers and they know what’s going on in my life. It’s all about good relationships.”

One of the main reasons Yaeger made the switch to State Bank was because of his longtime relationships with State Bank Vice President Amira Kujundzic.

“Shane and I met over 15 years ago when I worked for Southern Commercial Bank,” Kujundzic said. “We stayed in touch after the Midwest Bank branch closure and when I came on board with State Bank.”

Yaeger not only maintains his personal banking relationship at State Bank, but his business relationship as well, which includes Yaeger Contracting, a residential kitchen and bath contracting company; S & S STL Equipment, which buys, sells and trades used vehicles and equipment; and Pinehill Investments, a property leasing firm. 

Yaeger spends most of his days on job sites or working on projects, so he enjoys going into the lobby of the bank to talk to the tellers and lenders.

“I recommend State Bank to everybody - I love State Bank,” Yaeger says with a grin. “For me it’s the people. I don’t need to, but I go in to say hello. It’s not all about business, the rest of the time is spent chit-chatting.”

Yaeger is a well-known regular at the bank, where his two Pyrenees mix pups - Murphy and Memphis - are welcome visitors.

“Over the years, I have met Shane’s family, kids, and dogs – and if there is a business opportunity Shane calls me first,” Kujundzic said. “We talk about business, but we also talk about our families. I personally consider Shane a part of the State Bank family. From day one, since State Bank opened up the branch at Lindbergh, Shane was one of the first customers to walk into our new branch with a smile and positive energy.”

At State Bank, it’s all about relationships. Your neighborhood bank – wherever you go.

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