in that day, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and some never was a bigger grand opening celebration in 1cadia Parish. . . .and there hasn't been a bigger

.•JAAAG 1,11 I 'WU, UV • • • •

That's a lot of loan activity. But, then, that's why the Acadia Savings and Loan Association is Number One. More people make more of these loans there than anywhere else in Acadia Parish.

home building, repairs and acquisition."

Judge Reggie added, "It took us 7 months to check every. single mortage ever recorded in' Acadia Parish in the preceding 5 years, then checking each mortage on a parish map and determining whether it was a commercial or home loan. It was a fantastically difficult, time consuming job, and when it was all done its results reflected only a single page of data contained in the can plete economic study."

When the research job was finally concluded, Dr. Phillips pronounced a need for a new association and the group met formally for its first meeting to gain new direction and planning.

Those who attended that meeting beside Judge Reggie and Senator Cleveland were B.I. Moody, Dr. Jack R. Frank, Mitchell P. John, Jake Brandt,

History

(Continued from Page 1C)

Ellis G. Keller, Bert Lehman and Lance McBride.

It was decided that the best lierson to- serve as ,general manager of the hew association was Al L. Stoessell, then manager of the Greater Crowley Chamber of Commerce. The next day Stoessell was asked to join the group and by that next evening he was part of the movement to organize the new association. Johnny Unverzagt was invited and he also came into the group.

The application was then formalized, the economic study published in book form and all documents were forwarded to the Federal Home Loan Bank in Little Rock. Their approval was obtained notwithstanding the population ratio and its Washington, D.C. head office concurred in the approval. Then the State Bank Commission followed with approval and the

Acadia Savings and Loan Association was gra nteda state charter with membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank and insurance of accounts by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation.

The organizational group became the first Board of Directors and Judge Reggie was elected its Chairman, Dr. Frank its President, Messrs. Lehman and Keller its Vice Presidents and Al L. Stoessell its Secretary. Subsequently, Cleveland became Vice Chairman of the Board and Stoessell was elevated to Executive Vice President.

"We moved into our new quarters on February 13, 1958, Reggie said, "and it was a great day for us, despite the unusual heavy snow that fell that day, but nothing could stop us from our grand opening, not even

(Continued To Page 16C)

sefrIt*V.

At the ribbon cutting on dedication day on July 15, 1969, were two of the Association's directors with their wives. Shown here is Herman Parker, now deceased, with Mrs. Parker and Jake Brandt, with Mrs. Brandt, now deceased. In the background you will recognize Leon Poche, Clerk of Court Andrus Barousse and Philip Schenkle.