Western Surety Company is an insurance company based in
Sioux Falls,
South Dakota. It was founded in 1900 by attorney
Joe Kirby who periodically needed court bonds in connection with his law practice.
Headquartered in Sioux Falls, the company was run for decades by four generations of Kirbys. In the mid 20th century it was one of the larger employers in the city. It was also the national leader in the area of small, miscellaneous fidelity and
surety bonds
In finance, a surety , surety bond or guaranty involves a promise by one party to assume responsibility for the debt obligation of a borrower if that borrower defaults. Usually, a surety bond or surety is a promise by a surety or guarantor to pay ...
. The company's unique approach focused on service and convenience.
The Kirby family sold the business in 1992
[The Argus Leader, March 26, 1992, page 1] and it is now part of
CNA Surety. It still employs several hundred people in downtown
Sioux Falls.
References
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Companies based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Financial services companies established in 1900
Insurance companies of the United States
1900 establishments in South Dakota