First National Bank of Vinita celebrates 125th birthday

First National Bank of Vinita is celebrating its 125th anniversary Wednesday by reaching back to its roots with a familiar symbol to reach the world in the next century.

From its beginnings on the ground floor of the Cobb Hotel in 1892 to three Grand Lake locations — in Vinita, Grove, and Cleora — the focus of bank has been its commitment to customers.

First National Bank opened its doors on March 15, 1892, when Sam Leforce, a prominent cattleman, saddled up his cow pony, rode into Vinita and entered the Cobb Hotel. There in the corner of the hotel were a group of men.

Legend has it Leforce asked the men if they were starting a bank, according to a 1937 bank document, and became the first customer.

President Benjamin Harrison granted the bank’s charter, making it the third bank in Indian Territory. Six months later, the bank had deposits totaling $53,438.72 and $47,826.40 in loans. Within two years, bank deposits were more than $300,000, according to the 1937 bank document.

That’s more than $8 million adjusted for inflation.

Today, First National Bank is a $394 million community bank and has customers worldwide.

“With mobile and internet banking, we are a borderless bank,” said Mark Londagin, executive vice president.

The bank has customers in northeast Oklahoma, throughout the United States and in some foreign countries, he said.

“We like to think we are a local bank with global outreach — but we never forget where our roots are,” Londagin said.

First National Bank has a rich history, but equally important is that it continues to lead in technology, he said.

“Our owners are willing to invest in us,” Londagin said.

There is lot of pride and passion for community banking, and the bank has a passion to take care of its customers and the communities it serves, he said.

Banks with a long history

First National Bank is one of the oldest banks in Oklahoma. First National Bank in Ardmore asserts to be the first — established in 1889, while the Oklahoma Historical Society says the oldest bank is Stillwater State Bank (now Bank SNB), which was established in 1894.

To celebrate 125 years in Vinita, several activities are planned for Wednesday, including introducing its new face — a railroad conductor.

The conductor is a human representation of the bank’s brand ideals and captures the historical and symbolic significance of the railroad, said Julie Dean, senior vice president of operations and marketing.

The city of Vinita was founded on railroad tracks, specifically the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, which came to be known as “the Katy.”

The history of railroads and First National Bank are one and the same, Dean said.

Multiple generations of farming and ranching families have trusted the First National Bank when pastures were overflowing with young calves in the springtime and a lending hand when the sun-scorched land yielded very little crops, bank officials said.

“The bank has been there to help in times of need and to celebrate when times are good,” said Dee Robison, First National Bank CEO.