Our History
On November 17, 1897, the Bank of Bemidji
opened its doors in a small white building on the south side of Third
Street. The capital investment of $5,000.00 was equally divided
between its two owners, R.E. Davis and William H. Taber. On that
first day, there were five depositors opening checking accounts in the bank
totaling $910.00 and eighteen loans totaling $1,088.83.
By 1914, the bank had outgrown its quarters, and a new brick building
was constructed at the same location. During World War I, the total
deposits finally reached the one-million-dollar mark. The bank continued to
grow slowly, hindered by the depression during the 1930's.
In 1931, the First National Bank was purchased by Andrew and Charles
Warfield. Strength and stability has always been a concern of the
First National Bank management. Just prior to World War II, the
total deposits reached the two-million-dollar mark.
In 1945, Nick and Rudy Welle, along with Elgin Phillips and Les
Hoganson, acquired the bank from the Warfields. By 1945, deposits had
passed the five-million-dollar mark. The bank was completely remodeled in
1948. The next ten years showed continued growth of the bank and the
Bemidji area.
By 1963, total deposits had passed the seven-million-dollar mark, and the
building on Third Street was too small to accommodate the continued
growth. Construction began for a new facility on the corner of Fifth
Street and Minnesota Avenue.
The new facility was completed in 1964. It had seven inside teller
windows, two drive-up windows, large office areas and a customer parking
lot. In 1978, total assets reached fifty-five million dollars. First
National Bank Bemidji built a detached facility on Paul Bunyan Dr NW and
started an expansion project of the main office that was completed in June
1979.
By 1986, total assets were more than one hundred thirty-five million
dollars. Plans were underway for another expansion project at the
main bank facility which included moving the drive-up lanes to a new
facility across the street. First National Bank Express opened in
December 1986.
In 1991, First National Bank North was remodeled to provide an expanded
teller line, larger lobby, more drive-up lanes and a drive-up ATM.
The expansion helped First National Bank Bemidji better serve the growing
community of Bemidji.
First National Bank South opened its doors in May, 2000 and is located beside Lueken's Village
Foods South and provides complete financial services and allows customers
to shop and do their banking in one stop. Our inside and outside
automated teller machines provide 24-banking service for our customers. The south location
provides convenience for the businesses and other consumers who reside in
the south areas of Bemidji.
 |
First National Bank Bemidji has grown to $397.5 million in assets
with 110 full and part-time employees. Thomas E. Welle is President
and Chairman of the Board. The bank is rated highly
for its safety and soundness and continues its strong commitment to the
Bemidji community. Growing with you - A
Partnership for Generations
|
First National
Bank Bemidji is pleased to announce a new main office which is
currently under construction. This new building gives us the
opportunity to design space to bring maximum comfort and
accessibility to our customers and install state-of-the-art
technology. The more things change, the
more they stay the same. In 1964, Nick and Rudolf Welle
wrote the following when our new office opened at Fifth Street
and Minnesota Ave ...
To us, it is more than an imposing new building. It is a symbol
of our faith in the future of Bemidji and its large trade area.
It is a tradition of financial leadership emerging from 67 years
of continuous growth through times of war and peace, boom and
depression. It is a record of having never lost a penny of our
depositors' money. First National Bank is a family of friendly
and able people who personalize its services. It is an
organization geared to offer full-service banking to all and to
meet the challenges of tomorrow's changing financial needs. It
is the thousands of customers who trust and respect it has
earned over the years. While
the Fifth Street and Minnesota location we have called 'home'
for 40 years will be difficult to leave, the new facility on
Paul Bunyan Drive will provide many enhancements to our service.
Bemidji is a community with a bright future - a great place to
live, work and raise a family. Our new building is an investment
in our future and in Bemidji. 
Opening
Feb 2008 at 1600 Paul Bunyan Drive
|
