Transportation problems might hamper small bank processing

Small banking in Nevada is not nearly as affected as those connected to the international banking community in the wake of today's terrorist attacks, but slowdowns in processing are a natural consequence of planes being grounded.

Business Bank Of Nevada spokesman Paul Stowald said several employees with connections to the World Trade Center were given time to contact relatives.

One branch manager's daughter was two floors below where the initial airplane crashed. She was reportedly all right after evacuating the building.

Local banks might see a small slowdown in processing of financial transactions, especially those that are processed out of state.

"A lot of the smaller banks fly our work to Arum Technology in Glendale, Calif.," Stowald said. Business Bank Of Nevada has four Nevada branches, including one in Carson City. "Obviously we can't do that right now, but we are making arrangements for ground transportation."

This morning Stowald said there has not been a noticeable spike in withdrawals at the bank branches, despite the United State Treasury Department's announcement that it will make cash available to lenders.

Business Bank of Nevada will remain open with normal hours today.

Heritage Bank, with its two branches in Carson City and Reno, will remain under normal operation with its 36 employees, said Stan Wilmoth, bank president.

"We don't know what ripple down effect this will have on the economy," he said. "We will just have to wait and see."

Heritage Bank does all of its processing in house.