Our History
First National Bank began as the Ames Savings Bank in 1903, located at 216 Main Street. In 1913, the bank received a National Charter and began its dual operation as Ames National Bank and Ames Trust & Savings Bank. The bank moved into a new home at the southeast corner of Main and Kellogg in 1914.
In 1965, Ames Trust & Savings Bank converted from a State to a National Charter under its present name, First National Bank. Close on the heels of its change in name, First National opened their first branch banking facility in Ames in 1967. The new University Office, located in Campustown across the lake from the Memorial Union, was warmly received by the university community and has contributed significantly to First National's growth in the ensuing years.
On March 29, 1971, First National opened its doors in its present Main Branch located at 405 5th Street. Service to the community continued with the increase in real estate, installment and commercial loans and a Trust Department.
In 1979, a new, larger University Office was constructed just west of the previous location on Lincoln Way, improving the bank's services to Iowa State University and to West Ames.
The North Grand grocery branch relocated to Cub Foods in 1990 and a new North Grand Office opened at the corner of 24th and Grand in 1997. Bank services expanded to include: New Horizons, secondary market real estate loan services, and investment services for the community. As the bank services continued to grow, so did the bank itself, leading to the Main Office's renovation and expansion on multiple occasions during the last decade.
In 2007, the Ankeny Office opened its doors for business, bringing the total number of office locations to four. As First National Bank celebrates over a century of service and success, we'll continue our overwhelming commitment to Ames, Ankeny, the surrounding communities and to you.
In 2011, First National Bank introduced First Point Private Banking and Wealth Management Services, offering concierge banking and specialized financial planning at every stage of life.
In 2014, First National Bank purchased First Bank in West Des Moines. This purchase allowed First National Bank to expand its footprint to Central Iowa to better service its customers and provided a variety of new banking services to the customers of First Bank. As community, family-focused banks, the partnership provided an excellent fit for both organizations.
In 2015, First National Bank introduced Video Banking (Interactive Teller Machines) to the Ames community. Two kiosks were located at the Main Branch, one at the North Grand Branch and two at the West Ames Branch.
On October 26, 2015, First National Bank opened its new West Ames Office located at 3334 Lincoln Way. First National Bank worked with Roseland Mackey Harris Architects and Harold Pike Construction to develop a space to enhance the banking experience for current and future client needs.
In September 2018, First National Bank purchased Clarke County State Bank and celebrated the opening of three new locations; two in Osceola and one in Murray. This growth took us to 10 locations including seven locations throughout Ames, Ankeny and the Des Moines Metro.
Firsts included:
1956 - Sidewalk teller
1957 - Bank customer parking
1959 - Time and temperature clock
1962 - Drive-up teller
1974 - Automatic teller machine (ATM)
1976 - Iowa's first supermarket bank branch (at Randall's Food Store)
1987 - Drive-up ATM
1999 - Introduced Internet Banking
2015 - Introduced Video Banking (Interactive Teller Machine-ITM)
First National Bank, Ames, is the largest financial institution in Story County with over $1 billion in total assets. Established in 1903, First National Bank is the lead bank of Ames National Corporation, a central Iowa bank holding company with affiliate banks in Boone, Creston, Garner, Lenox, Nevada, Marshalltown, and Story City.
Ames National Corporation (ANC) was established as a bank holding company on August 1, 1975, by the shareholders of First National Bank. ANC is the 6th largest Iowa-based commercial bank holding company operating in Iowa based on total deposits. Company assets are over $1.975 billion. Ames National Corporations stock is publically traded and is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol ATLO.
More information about Ames National Corporation is available at www.amesnational.com. If you are interested in becoming a shareholder, contact your financial advisor for more information.
First National Bank is a local, full-service bank, serving the Ames, Ankeny, Osceola and West Des Moines communities from nine convenient locations. You can count on us for local decisions, the latest products and services, and an experienced, knowledgeable staff serving our customers for since 1903, we are personally invested in the community.
We are continually adding service after service to ensure you have everything you need right here, at your hometown bank.
Local. Personal. Accessible. Stop by First National Bank today and let us show you What Banking Should Be.
Mission: Deliver What Banking Should Be.
Core Values:
- Community-Focused
- Innovative
- Responsive
- Secure
- Trustworthy