Michael Chambers enjoys meeting people, a great attribute for an account services representative at Grand Rapids State Bank.

“I’m able to help customers with any issue related to their checking or savings accounts, debit or credit cards, and anything in between,” Michael explained. “We have a four-person team, and unofficially I’ve become the person who digs into credit and debit card issues. I help folks set up their debit and credit card accounts, help them with any disputes about their account, and occasionally walk someone through a situation where there’s been some fraud with their account.”

Michael was hired as a teller in 2018, and two years later accepted an opportunity to work in the Account Services Department.

“I transferred to this department during the early days of COVID,” said Michael, “so a lot of my training came in the form of screen shots followed by a lot of questions and answers. It wasn’t perfect, but it’s what we had at the time.”

Michael is a Grand Rapids native. He attended Bemidji State University and earned a degree in biology. “I had big plans for that degree, but when my future wife accepted a job as a medical laboratory scientist at Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital, I began looking for places I could work. Grand Rapids State Bank had some teller openings, and I was glad to work for a bank I knew well from my days growing up in the area.”

“When interest rates dropped during COVID, we saw a lot of people moving north, out of the Twin Cities,” Michael continued. “When I transferred into the department in 2020, things were very busy. Our new customers appreciated the help we provided as they moved their accounts here. Most people weren’t interacting with one another in person, so we were very busy.”

When he’s not working, Michael loves doing anything outdoors, especially deer hunting. The summer months find Michael, his wife and three-year old son busy on the lake.

“This is a great place to raise a family,” he added, “and we’re grateful to have good jobs in the area.”