IPad helps bank go green

Providence Bank’s executives are using iPads to save a few trees.
The bank’s executives and board of directors switched over to iPads during the month of August to cut down on paper use. President and CEO Brett Burri said Providence instituted the iPads primarily to increase efficiency in reviewing and distributing reports.
“It was suggested by our chairman to initially use (iPads) for directors to distribute monthly board reports,” Burri said. “From there we also acquired (iPads) for use and distribution of other management reports.”
Burri said the iPad has offered Providence Bank advantages because of its versatility. “It has enabled us to distribute information in a much more efficient manner,” Burri said. “Also, our executives are finding many apps that increase their productivity.”
Burri said the executives are saving battery life — compared to using laptops — as well as paper. “They really like them, and most have found them to be extremely useful,” he said. “Most of our executives are using them in lieu of their laptop computers as they are extremely effective and portable.”
Providence Bank is keeping up with technology as it manages its recent expansion. This year the bank bought the failed Premier Bank in Jefferson City, which put its total assets at more than $772 million as of March 31. On the same date a year earlier, Providence’s assets totaled $135 million.
The bank has grown from two locations in Elsberry and Winfield, Mo., in 2007 to its current 13 branch locations throughout Missouri and Texas. There are 180 employees.