Independent banks use branches, perks to lure customers

Colorado˜s independent bankers that survived the onset of branch banking six years ago have taken the cue from well-heeled competitors such as Norwest and Bank One by providing customers with ATMs, special accounts, phone banking, branch banking, banking by personal computer and other customer perks.
Still, approximately 51 percent of the state˜s deposits are controlled by five large out-of-state banks, Norwest Bank, KeyBank, Colorado National Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and Bank One, according to the Colorado Division of Banking.
It hasn˜t been easy, but for some of the banks that have changed their ways to compete, it˜s paid off.
"The…