Telling the Story of Security State Bank in Wewoka, Oklahoma: A 2025 Community Leader Award Project
Every year, I collaborate with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka to help tell the stories of remarkable community banks across the Midwest—highlighting the work they do to support their neighbors, businesses, and local initiatives.
This year took us to Wewoka, Oklahoma, where we collaborated with Security State Bank—recipient of the 2025 Community Leader Award. Security State Bank has a deep connection to its community, and our job was to help capture that with photography and video.
Community Banking with Heart
Before our two-day video and photography production even began, I worked closely with FHLBank of Topeka and Security State Bank to identify the people and stories that would best reflect the bank’s community impact. That list grew to include bank team members, Seminole Nation leaders, small business owners, and local residents.
One of the more powerful stories we heard came from a family receiving a new roof on their home. For the first time in years, they can now sleep through a rainstorm without worrying about water leaking in. It was a reminder of how small improvements—like a dry, secure place to rest—can bring a huge lift in morale and offer the stability families need to thrive.
Another deeply moving story focused on the local effort to support homeless teens. The community is building two homes specifically for teenagers, providing them with a safe space to sleep, focus on school, and grow up with a sense of security. It’s a project driven by love and compassion—neighbors looking out for the next generation.
These are just two of several stories that touched me. Wewoka is a place where people truly look out for one another, and that spirit of connection is what makes storytelling here so meaningful.
Travel-Based Production That Adapts to the Story
We spent two full days on-site capturing interviews and community scenes—from a Little League baseball game to a tour of the local museum, health center, and construction sites for the teen housing. Like any location-based production, we adjusted a few plans on the fly—but we stayed on schedule and remained flexible, which is a key part of how we work. In fact, those last-minute shifts often lead to stronger stories.
Why These Stories Matter
At Indermaur Media, these kinds of projects are at the heart of what we do. They’re about building trust through visual storytelling, showcasing the real-world impact of community banking, and creating photo and video content that resonates with both internal teams and public audiences.
It’s a privilege to work year after year with FHLBank of Topeka and the banks they support. If you’d like to see another example, check out last year’s production with Mountain View Bank of Commerce:
👉 Visual Storytelling for Community Banks: The MVBofC Project
This full-length video highlights the people and projects that make Wewoka, OK such a vibrant and resilient community. Produced in collaboration with FHLBank of Topeka and Security State Bank, the video features interviews with community leaders, small business owners, and residents—showcasing how thoughtful banking support is transforming lives.