|
|
 |
| Hours & Locations | President's Message | Meet Our Staff | Bank History | Security & Privacy |
Bank History
When United Bank & Trust Company’s family tree took root in the small town of Hansell, so also began our long-standing tradition of service to our customers and their communities. Many years have passed since those early days, but our bank’s mission has remained steadfast. Through the decades, we have focused on six key traits that are essential to developing solid and enduring relationships with our customers: integrity, strength, stability, quality, value and service. As we adapt to the changing times that are part of every generation, these six characteristics have proven to be timeless benchmarks that help us meet our customers’ expectations.
|
|
We hope this glimpse back through our history helps you understand why United Bank & Trust Company is proud to build on our past to make a better future.
|
|
| United Bank & Trust Company Timeline |
|
|
- 1915 – Corporate birthday of the bank – Hansell Savings Bank granted a charter by the State of Iowa.
- 1930s – The Great Depression – Hansell Savings Bank is the only bank in Franklin County to survive the Depression.
- 1935 – Sheffield businessmen purchase Hansell Savings Bank and relocate its charter to Sheffield and change its name to Sheffield Savings Bank; Hansell and Dougherty become offices.
- 1949 – James E. Coonley buys controlling interest of Farmers State Bank of Dows and its Popejoy office.
- 1955 – James E. Coonley buys controlling interest of Sheffield Savings Bank.
- 1966 – Sheffield Savings Bank builds a new office across the street from their existing bank.
- 1984 – Alden State Bank purchased by Coonley family.
- 1980s – The Iowa Farm Crisis hits, affecting thousands of farm families and many agricultural banks.
- 1985 – A new office is built in Dougherty.
- 1993 – Farmers State Bank of Dows merges with Sheffield Savings Bank; the bank’s name is changed to United Bank & Trust Company.
- 1995 – Alden State Bank merges into United Bank & Trust Company.
- 1995 – Sheffield office is remodeled and expanded.
- 1998 – Dows office is remodeled.
- 1999 – United Bank & Trust Company buys the U.S. Bank office in Hampton. State law requires the bank to relocate its charter to Hampton.
- 2001 – A new office is built in Alden.
- 2002 – Hansell and Popejoy offices close; buildings donated to the towns.
- 2003 – Developed and trademarked FARMTRAC®, a financial and risk management program used by farm customers to manage their operations.
- 2005 – A new office is built in Hampton.
|
|
|
“Fire, Mob & Burglar Proof”
 This rare money vault was originally located in the Hansell office of United Bank & Trust Company and is now on display in the Hampton location. Weighing over three tons, the vault was designed to be freestanding, whereas most banks built vaults inside thick walls. It has three doors, each with a separate combination. The middle door is one foot thick and is also protected by a time lock. Despite the vault’s large size and solid steel construction, the interior compartment is only about eighteen inches in diameter. Victor Safe Company made the safe in the early 1900’s, and their slogan “Fire, Mob, and Burglar Proof,” appears on the sides of the vault.
|
“The Great Depression”
After the Great Depression struck, President Roosevelt temporarily closed all banks by declaring a “bank holiday” in March of 1933 to stop the money panic gripping the nation. The only bank in Franklin County to survive the Depression was the Hansell Savings Bank. Its main office was moved to Sheffield in 1935, and the Hansell office was maintained as a branch. This photos shows the interior of the bank in Sheffield as it was prior to the Depression era.
|
“Dougherty Bank Moves to Pleasant Hill Village”
 In 1985, United Bank & Trust Company built a new office in Dougherty. The former bank building in Dougherty had a beautiful ornate oak teller line dating from the early 1900’s, complete with marble baseboards and frosted etched glass. The vault in the original bank featured an alarm which sounded a loud exterior horn and discharged tear gas within the vault if a robbery was attempted. In order to preserve the heritage of this bank, the antique teller line was donated by United Bank & Trust Company to the Franklin County Fair and the Franklin County Historical Society, to furnish the bank in Pleasant Hill Village.
|
|
|
 |
Checking 
