Smart Business: Western United Mutual Insurance Assn.

Farmers & Merchants Bank is honored to feature Western United Mutual Insurance Assn. as our Smart Business of the month.

Western United Mutual Insurance Assn. has been part of Saline County for more than 130 years. Back when the company was formed in 1879, the agents worked out of their homes, until 1997, when they opened a proper office in Wilber.

The company’s history is long and symbolic. For the first 30 or so years, company records were kept in Czech until the Department of Insurance requested they be changed. Luckily for Western United Mutual Insurance Assn., their treasurer at the time was able to read and write in both Czech and English.

Currently, Kenny Ripa is at the helm, serving as treasurer and secretary. It’s a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly, as his family has been with the company for 101 years. Kenny’s grandfather and father were both treasurers.

What makes Western United Mutual Insurance Assn. stand out are the employees, their approach to insurance and their philosophy of helping people and businesses thrive. They work hard to keep residents in their homes, keep entrepreneurs from going out of business and help those affected by natural disasters start over. It’s an ideology that echoes the Farmers & Merchants Bank way.

Western United Mutual Insurance Assn. relies on Farmers & Merchants Bank for their business banking services. By providing products that allow them to achieve their financial goals, they’re better able to serve people in Saline County and throughout Nebraska. We are proud to have them as a customer and as a long-standing member of our community.