Serving others isn't just a theme for the coming year at the Austin branch of Wells Fargo.

To them, it's how business has always been done.

Bank President Todd Thompson and Consumer Manager Jill Van Hooser said helping out in the community is encouraged with many who work at the facility.

"We encourage people to take 10 percent of their time for community activities," Thompson said.

Thompson said he doesn't do his volunteering out of necessity.

"It's about the enjoyment of helping out," he said. "It's just good to help better the community. When you've seen successes in other communities, you can bring the ideas here."

Van Hooser said the bank helps out with numerous local groups and charities, including the Austin Jaycees, Austin Youth Hockey, the Hormel Nature Center, Riverland Foundation, the Packer Arena project, Austin Symphony Orchestra, Freedom Fest in the Heartland and the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce.

Van Hooser, who joined the bank in May, said she's looking forward to working with the chamber and its different activities.

"For me, it will be nice to get out there and meet other people in the community," she said, noting that others who work at the bank are more than willing to give of their time. "Anytime we have something we do extra, we have a lot of people participate."

Between full- and part-time workers, about 30 people are employed at the Austin Wells Fargo, Van Hooser said.

Van Hooser noted that although Wells Fargo may be a national name, the employees live and work in this community and add a similar personal touch as any small-town bank would.

"We want to make sure our customers know that they come first," she said. "We want people when they leave here to say, 'Wow! That was great service.' Our main focus is customer service. We want to get to know our customers personally. We know a lot of our customers by name."

"We are a small-town bank, but we have all the services available," Thompson said, adding that having the Wells Fargo name also gives customers the flexibility and options when it comes to their financial needs.

"Wells Fargo is the No. 1 farm bank in the country," he said. "We have more loans to ag-related businesses and farmers than any other bank. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is the largest originator and servicer of home loans in the United States. Wells Fargo celebrated 150 years of existence in 2002. There are only seven or eight companies older than Wells Fargo. We have over 6,200 ATMs and employ 130,000-plus team members throughout the U.S."

And the bank has made a smooth transition for its customers going into the 21st century.

"A person can apply for any type of loan through the Internet, including home mortgages," he said. "Here in Austin, we like to see our customers, but Wells Fargo believes in letting the customer decide when and how they want to do business, Internet, 24-hour phone bank, ATM, local bank, or at any Wells Fargo location."

For information about the Austin Wells Fargo facility, call Thompson or Van Hooser at (507) 433-1891.