In a time of great change, especially for a business that prides itself on providing a wide range of customer service, Teri Williams’ role as account services representative has taken on new significance.

“We continue to provide the same services people have come to expect at Grand Rapids State Bank,” Teri said. “We help folks with checking and savings accounts, opening IRAs and internet banking. We help people with anything they need.

“People still have questions about things, and particularly at a time when you can’t communicate in person, it puts a different twist on answering questions and helping them out,” Teri continued. “We’ve had to re-learn how to listen carefully, ask questions when it seems like they don’t understand, and maybe have a little more patience.”

One of the bank’s services that is attracting some new attention is the DocuSign service, Teri explained. This functionality allows customers to sign documents electronically in a secure format. The bank accepts those e-signatures on legal documents, bank account applications and other documents.

Teri began working at Grand Rapids State Bank in 1992. “I started as a teller,” she said, “and before long was working in the loan department on customer correspondence and loan processing. A couple of years later I took a job at the Pokegama Office where I processed loans and opened new accounts. I’ve been back here at the main office for a while now, so I’ve had the opportunity to work on both the lending and deposits sides of the banking business.”

Teri and her husband, Tony, have two adult sons. Tony supervises line technicians for Mediacom’s northern field office in Hibbing. She is grateful her family remains close.

“I loved connecting with people at the office, at church and visiting with friends,” said Teri. “I still love those things, but now it’s all via social distancing.”

Teri is still able to enjoy her hobbies away from work: walking, reading and boating. “You do what you can do,” she said.

“I love this job because I have had the chance to meet and work with so many great people,” continued Teri, “both customers and fellow employees. I enjoy doing this work, but I miss the person-to-person contact. I suspect that’s true for everyone, and it’s the way we have to live for now.

“We have some customers that still want to come in to do their banking,” said Teri, “and we have a walk-up window where people, wearing masks, can talk to someone in person.

“A lot of people will call in, and that works, too. We’ve had to do as much as we can remotely, which is a change for some people. But we still provide the best service we can in these interesting times.”