The lone bank in Brooklyn, Iowa, Patriot Bank, came crashing down during a severe rain storm on Friday, March 5. A police officer discovered two walls of the bank had collapsed some time around 1:30 a.m. Fortunately, no one was inside at the time of its collapse and no one was injured.

The bank building was more than a century old, and last year, the Arendt family, the bank’s owners, decided that it was time for the construction of a new building. The new branch of the Patriot Bank is under construction just a few feet from the current site. No one knows for sure what caused the bank’s walls to collapse; however, the current theory is that recent rains somehow stressed the exposed foundation on the old bank.

Employees came to work that Friday to find the bank collapsed, and spent the remainder of the day moving out files and records from the old bank. Patriot Bank put their disaster recovery plan into action and thanks to the assistance of the IBA endorsed vendor, MPA Systems, the bank was up and running again at 8:00 a.m. Monday morning.

In an interview with Craig Arendt, president and CEO of Patriot Bank, he stated, “I was in Des Moines and received the call about the bank at around 6:30 in the morning. I immediately packed up and headed to Brooklyn. On my way there, I called in to the IBA to see who I should contact, and within ten minutes of hanging up, MPA Systems was in touch with me.” Arendt continued, "MPA Systems was absolutely fantastic. I am very impressed and amazed that they can deliver on a moments notice-without delay. MPA Systems had a temp-trailer from Texas here at 8:00 a.m. Sunday. We were able to move in and have the power and telephone company install lines and outlets, and were open again for business at 8:00 Monday morning."

MPA Systems, based out of Sanger, Texas, has been in business for 42 years and provides disaster recovery with modular bank facilities. The program offered through MPA Systems, in conjunction with Kirk Gross Company, now gives financial institutions a total turn-key solution should disaster occur. MPA Systems guarantees availability and delivery of a modular 14’x 70’ building within 72 hours of the disaster.

  

"We were so glad we could help the bank. MPA's main purpose is to serve the banking industry by providing modular bank buildings to banks needing temporary quarters during new construction, remodeling projects, or disaster situations like that of Patriot's. MPA thrives on situations like Patriot's and getting buildings to the banks quickly and helping them get back up and open for their customers in a fast and efficient manner,” said Kimberly Shaw of MPA Systems.

The plan to build the new bank, knock down the old one and then put in a drive through will definitely be ahead of schedule due to the collapse. Arendt later commented, "We've got the tellers and our entire bookkeeping department in the trailer, while the loan officers and their staff are open for business in the old medical clinic-- three locations to serve you in a town of 1500people!" He continued," Small towns are the best-the number of people and businesses to thank are more than I can count-everyone rallies when crises hits.