According to recent news reports, "North Milwaukee State Bank.. recently commemorated a milestone of providing service to the community for over 40 years."
North Milwaukee State Bank ( now NMSBank ) celebrated "over 40 years of service to the community by hosting a 40 Plus Year Celebration..at the Milwaukee County War Memorial on April 14, 2011. The bank opened its doors on February 12, 1971, becoming Wisconsin’s first minority-owned bank.NMSBank co-founder Dr. William Finlayson states 'I never had any hesitation in opening the bank because I was motivated to bring economic empowerment to the community. People questioned the impact a minority bank would have on the community, but the biggest immediate impact was the sense of pride it gave the community.'
NMSBank co-founder Dr. Randle Pollard credits the success of opening NMSBank to the rapid exit of larger banks from the community, the civil rights movement, and a rush of college graduates who majored in accounting, banking, and finance. 'All three factors made the time right and ripe to establish a bank. It also was an ideal time because all the things the community needed financially, NMSB would be there to provide,' says co-founder Pollard."
Well done, gentlemen. Well done indeed.