A Brief History of First National Bank

First National Bank was born out of an argument that took place on April 22, 1902. On that date, Mr. James Robert Bodine, a leading citizen of that date, had gotten very upset with the owners of the Central City Deposit Bank. While walking up the street following this unhappy episode at the bank, he met Dr. William R. McDowell. After discussing the situation, they decided then and there to organize their own bank. Dr. McDowell would serve as president and Mr. Bodine would be on the board of directors. They called their bank the Home Deposit Bank.  

The first board of director’s consisted of Dr. McDowell, president; P.K. Salsburg, vice-president; Albert E. Orr, cashier; Mr. Bodine, director; Herman L. Raabe, director; and E. B. Miller, director. When the Home Deposit Bank opened in 1902, it had assets of only $36,409.83. By 1906, the bank’s assets had nearly tripled to $92,696.07. The bank grew quickly, and by December 31, 1942, it boasted assets of over one million dollars

During the year 2000, First National Bank exceeded one hundred million dollars in assets.

On April 21, 1906, the Home Deposit Bank received its charter (No. 8229) as a national bank and changed its name to the First National Bank of Central City. During the period of its development, First National Bank absorbed the Gish Banking Company. During the troubled times of the late 1920’s and 1930’s, the banking industry throughout the United States was in turmoil. Three men helped guide the First National Bank through those difficult decades – J.A. Smith, James Edwin Hoodenpyl, and John B. Funk. From 1937 until 1974, only two men held the position of president of First National Bank – Ed W. Holt and Jesse Moore.   Today, First National Bank is guided by Lanie Gardner, Interim President/CEO

With assets continuing to grow First National Bank opened a branch location in Bremen, Kentucky on July 25, 1975. Recognizing the need to provide “hometown” banking throughout Muhlenberg County, First National Bank opened another full-service branch bank in Greenville on July 3, 2000. First National Bank went world wide in November of the year 2000 when it launched its Internet Banking Site at http://www.fnbmc.com/. On July 1, 2003 First National Bank embraced its roots, philosophy and community spirit when we unveiled our new name…First National Bank of Muhlenberg County.