CLINTON -- Mary Hoyt-Thompson walked out of the former John Warner Bank Friday morning with a relieved look on her face.

On Thursday, the bank and five others were closed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Banking. All John Warner deposits were transferred to the State Bank of Lincoln.

"I have no worries and no qualms about this," Hoyt-Thompson, of Clinton, said. "My money is safe and everyone should understand their money is safe as well. It's unfortunate and I think the biggest hardship is probably on the employees who are going through an uncertain time. I have a daughter-in-law who works there and she was there answering phones until 10:30 Thursday night. But, this bank will be stronger once everything gets transferred."

FDIC spokeswoman Roberta Valdez said the conversion was going smoothly.

"The employees are doing well and we are reassuring the customers that it's business as usual," Valdez said. "It's an advantage that the State Bank of Lincoln is involved because it's a well-established bank just 20 miles away. Nobody likes change, but everybody is working well together to get through this difficult time."

She said only a few customers were withdrawing funds or safety deposit boxes. Many had questions or concerns that were being addressed by FDIC or State Bank of Lincoln representatives.

The bank opened in downtown Clinton in 1867 and was sold to Andrew Robinson in 2003. Attempts to reach Robinson were unsuccessful.

"We spread our funds throughout several different banks in case there is some kind of problem at one particular bank," said DeWitt County Finance Chairman Ed Young. "We have been told there is no need to worry, but we were warned that in addition to the changes, there would be a lot of talk and rumors."

Clinton School District business manager Rick Imig met with State Bank of Lincoln President Steve Augherbaugh and was satisfied.

"Obviously everyone is going to be a little nervous with such a major change, but we feel confident that our funds are safe," Imig said. "It wasn't a surprise. We knew it was going to happen and because we were well informed, there was no need for panic. But it's nice to be reassured that our funds are safe so that we can pass that along to our school officials and the public."

Mayor Ed Wollet greeted customers and reassured them the bank would be stronger as a result of the change.

"This wasn't a failure of a local bank, but a failure of the group that owned the bank and that is evident by the fact they had the six banks they own all closed," Wollet said. "This is a bank that has great employees and they weren't responsible, but are working hard to make the transition go smoothly."

Customers who have questions can call the FDIC toll-free at (800) 837-0215 or visit www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/warner.html.