1868 This area saw its first settlers in 1805 and Edwardsville became a city in 1812 (Illinois' third oldest). However, the town did not have a stable banking institution until Edward M. West and his son-in-law, Major William R. Prickett founded "West & Prickett", later renamed "TheBANK of Edwardsville", on January 1, 1868. When it opened on the corner of Main and Purcell Street, TheBANK's original capital was only $10,000. Even with a growing population, most early Edwardsville banks failed due to faulty banking practices. However, by the 1890's both TheBANK and the community were larger and more established. In 1899, TheBANK began a period of growth by consolidating with the Madison County State Bank.

Early 1900s TheBANK grew even larger by absorbing the First National Bank and by constructing a new building on its original site, the corner of Main and Purcell. By 1925, TheBANK's rapid growth resulted in the need for some remodeling and expansion of its building and customer accounts were protected by F.D.I.C. insurance for the first time, in 1933. In 1960, TheBANK installed an innovative new sign and became known as the bank at "The Time and Temperature Corner." One year later, a sidewalk teller window was added for greater customer convenience.

1970s In January 1972, the new facility opened with assets of $27 million--marking TheBANK's most rapid period of growth up to that point. The Trust Department opened in 1974; the Montclaire Center began servicing customers in 1976; and in 1977, TheBANK took another innovative step by introducing its Magic Touch Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) Banking. In 1978, TheBANK moved forward again by installing its own computer processing department. TheBANK became one of the first banks in the area to have in-house processing capabilities.

1980s In order to provide further customer convenience, TheBANK installed three more Magic Touch locations--in the SIUE University Center in 1980; at the Cottonwood Station Shopping Center in 1981; and at the intersection of Center Grove Road and Route 157 in 1983. In 1983, its 115th year, TheBANK also celebrated its growth to $100 million in assets and a staff of 60 employees.

1990 February 1990 marked the completion of TheBANK's next expansion program. The Main Office was enhanced with the construction of a two-story addition and six new drive-up lanes. This doubled the size of the Main Office to just under 40,000 square feet. The expansion allowed for even greater customer convenience and made room for the introduction of additional services. TheBANK's Emerald Plus Club was developed that year to offer special services to the senior customers. TheBANK also installed its eighth Magic Touch Banking Machine, an additional walk-up machine with a built-in night depositary, at the Main Office. The ninth Magic Touch Banking Machine, a drive-up 24-hour Banking Center at the intersection of Route 157 and Glen Carbon Road, was completed in April.

In May of 1990, TheBANK acquired offices of the Madison County Federal Savings and Loan. The purchase was a natural extension of TheBANK's growing customer base in Madison County, creating branches at 101 South Morrison in Collinsville and at 120 West Market in Troy. Because of this, TheBANK could provide it's full range of services in even more convenient locations throughout the county. Magic Touch 24-Hour Banking Machines were also added at both new locations in 1991.

1992 In January of 1992, TheBANK's twelfth Magic Touch Banking Machine was installed in the main entryway of Anderson Hospital, in Maryville.

In March, TheBANK acquired the Alton office of the Olympic Federal Savings and Loan at 324 Ridge Street. The purchase was again seen as a natural extension of TheBANK's growing customer base throughout Madison County. With this, TheBANK was able to offer convenient locations in four local communities.

In July 1992, TheBANK installed its thirteenth Magic Touch Banking Machine in the newly built Madison County Administration Building.

1993 TheBANK celebrated its 125th anniversary. The year-long celebration honored TheBANK's 125 years of banking service and community involvement. The entire year was full of special celebrations and promotions and historical community events. That year also marked the introduction of two new services offered at TheBANK: Investment Services and Merchant Services. The Investment Services Department offers customers alternative ways of investing their money, yet keeps them within TheBANK as a valued customer. The Merchant Services Department expanded the Master Card\Visa services available to business customers.

1994 January marked the completion of TheBANK's fourteenth ATM, bringing Magic Touch Banking closer to the Alton community. It was built into the first drive-up lane of the Alton Center.

In October of 1994, TheBANK removed the ATM it had placed in the Madison County Administration Building. It was relocated to the Collinsville Shop 'n Save grocery store to expand TheBANK's availability in the Collinsville area.

In October of 1994, TheBANK removed the ATM it had placed in the Madison County Administration Building. It was relocated to the Collinsville Shop 'n Save grocery store to expand TheBANK's availability in the Collinsville area.

1995 January marked the introduction of TheBANK's sixth banking center. The Highland Center, located at 100 Suppiger Lane, allowed TheBANK to enter into a fifth local community. A sizeable deposit and loan base already existed in the Highland area and this expansion allowed for greater convenience to existing customers as well as the opportunity to expand TheBANK's customer base.

In February of 1995, TheBANK introduced another innovative service. An ATM was introduced at the Highland Center that was the first of its kind in the entire Midwest. The new ATM machine has the ability to dispense postage stamps. This is just another example of TheBANK taking the lead in innovative product developments that enhance customer service.

In May of 1995, TheBANK opened the Alton Banking Center, its seventh banking center, at 94A North Port Drive, which improved its ability to serve the River Bend area. TheBANK better provides its expanding line of products and services to the northern part of Madison County with its two convenient Alton locations.

July 1995 marked TheBANKs opening of its eighth location in Madison County and third in Edwardsville. The In-Store Center at the Edwardsville Shop n Save was TheBANKs first venture into supermarket banking. The center offers the convenience that customers expect by being open 64 hours each week, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays and most holidays.

The In-Store Center offers TheBANKs full line of products and services at times when many customers shop and do their banking. The In-Store Centers Sales Associates are in the aisles of the supermarket to inform customers about TheBANKs services. The Sales Associates also can complete customers transactions while the customers finish their shopping.

In October of 1995, TheBANK introduced its MagicCheck enhanced ATM card. The card, which can be used at ATMs, also can be used like a check anywhere MasterCard is accepted. The purchases are automatically withdrawn from the customers checking account and detailed on their monthly statement.

In November of 1995, TheBANK began offering postage stamps at its ATMs at Cottonwood and on Center Grove Road. Throughout 1995 TheBANK added postage stamps to a total of five ATMs, including those at the Main Office and at the Edwardsville Shop n Save.

1996 In January of 1996, TheBANK also began offering postage stamps to all BankMate ATM cardholders, including those who are customers of other banks.

Also in January, TheBANKs Emerald Plus Club members were presented with a new Identification Card that earns discounts when presented at a variety of area stores.

In April 1996, TheBANK began operation of its sixteenth Magic Touch ATM and its first in a convenience store at the Club Centre Moto Mart in Edwardsville. The ATM, which dispenses cash, gives balance information and allows for transfers, is available 24 hours a day.

1997 In February of 1997, TheBANK further expanded its Magic Touch ATM network with the opening of its seventeenth ATM. The new machine is located inside Market Basket in Edwardsville. The ATM, which dispenses cash, gives balance information and allows for transfers, is available during store hours.

In June of 1997, TheBANK introduced to its customers an innovated service - PayLink telephone bill paying. The service allows customers to pay bills or make payments to anyone, anywhere, 24 hours a day by using their touch tone telephone.

In August of 1997, TheBANK announced plans for a new two-story, 8,000 square foot building on West Center Drive in Alton. The new location better serves customers in the Alton-Godfrey area. Plans were to relocate the North Port Center in the new building upon completion.

In time for the fall semester at SIUE, TheBANK added it eighteenth Magic Touch ATM at the Tower Lake Commons Building, offering students at SIUE two convenient locations on campus to access their money. TheBANK had previously installed an ATM inside the SIUE University Center.

In early September of 1997, TheBANK unveiled four new Checking Choices, which offered customers lower minimum balances and reduced or waived monthly fees. The new accounts, Checking 101, Direct Checking, Classic Checking and Premium Checking, fit every customers needs perfectly.

Later in September, TheBANK announced a tentative agreement to acquire Omni Bank, with locations in Pontoon Beach and Granite City. Under the agreement, The Banc Ed Corp purchased the shares of Omni Financial, increasing TheBANK to more than $580 million in assets.

TheBANK also featured its first-ever television commercials on several cable network stations through two local cable companies. The three commercials focused on PayLink Touchtone bill paying service, the MagicCheck enhanced ATM/debit card and how people at TheBANK are your neighbors and friends...The People You Know & Trust.

In October, TheBANK introduced its site on the World Wide Web at www.4thebank.com. The site, featuring more than 100 pages, gives visitors up-to-date information about TheBANK, its services, CD rates and a variety of items. Plans also were under way for Internet banking and on-line bill paying services through the home page.

In December, TheBANK made way for its ninth location - near St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto - to be open early in 1998. TheBANK purchased an existing building that had housed other banks previously. The new location is complete with drive-up lanes and a 24-hour drive-up ATM.

1998 In January, TheBANK announced plans for a new one-story, 5,000 square-foot Troy Center on Route 162 near the new Troy Post Office. Plans were for the Troy Center location at 120 West Market to operate until completion of the new building. The new Troy Center helps TheBANK better serve customers in the Troy community.

Also in January, the acquisition of Omni Bank was completed. The Banc Ed Corp purchased shares of Omni Financial. Omni Bank was to operate under the same name as a subsidiary of The Banc Ed Corp and an affiliate of TheBANK of Edwardsville.

In March, TheBANK celebrated the opening of its Bethalto Center - the ninth location in Madison County - with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The full-service center features drive-up lanes and a 24-hour drive-up ATM.

Banking services became even more convenient in May with the introduction of TheBANKs Magic Online Internet Banking, which allows customers to access their accounts 24-hours a day from any computer with an Internet connection. The free service, which is accessible through TheBANKs web site, allows customers to check their account balance, see if checks have cleared and transfer funds between accounts...all on their computer screen.

In June, TheBANK introduced another Internet service with its PayLink Online Bill Paying Service. PayLink Online allows Magic Online customers the convenience of paying their bills by simply logging onto the Internet and scheduling them to be paid automatically. The money is then withdrawn from the customers checking account. The service, which allows customers to pay any bill or make any payment, is offered with the first two months free of charge.

Later in the month, TheBANK also introduced its Savings Options, offering customers four accounts with which they can earn interest on their money. The accounts combine the flexibility and competitive interest rates customers desire for their savings. ATM Savings, Classic Savings, Money Market Savings and PrimeInvestor offer customers options to fit their savings needs perfectly. Also, TheBANK began to offer Savings Advance, which is overdraft protection that eliminates the worry if a customer overdraws their checking account. The exact amount they overdraw is automatically transferred from their savings to their checking to cover the overdraft.

In August, TheBANK improved banking convenience for people in Marine, Illinois by installing an ATM inside the Stop-n-Go Mart at 102 West Division. The ATM, which dispenses postage stamps, was the first ever in the community.

In late September, TheBANK opened its new Alton Center on West Center Drive. The impressive two-story building offered improved services to residents of Alton and Godfrey with safe deposit boxes, drive-up lanes and a 24-hour drive-up ATM.


The following month marked the joining together of Omni Bank with TheBANK of Edwardsville. Omnis two locations became TheBANKs Pontoon Beach and Granite City/Nameoki Road Centers, offering customers an even wider array of banking services to meet their needs. The merger also provided customers the convenience of being able to bank at any of TheBANKs 11 locations or 24 ATMs throughout Madison County.


1999 TheBANK started the new year with new expanded drive-up and lobby hours at several of its 11 locations and a new look at the Montclaire and Troy Centers. The interior of the Montclaire Center was remodeled providing needed space for Customer Service, Safe Deposit and also incorporated a new system to help traffic flow to the Teller windows.

Later in the month, TheBANK opened its new Troy Center building on Edwardsville Road next to the new Troy Post Office. The new building offered improved services to residents in Troy with safe deposit boxes, drive-up lanes and a 24-hour drive-up ATM.

In July, our Highland Center expansion was completed to provide needed space for additional Customer Service, Safe Deposit, Trust and Loan services for our customers.

August saw the introduction of Trust Online an innovative service which allows our Trust customers a complete review of their trust and financial portfolio 24 hours a day through the Internet.

2000 TheBANK began the new year by breaking ground for construction of a new Granite City Center building on Maryville Road. The new building will offer expanded services such as safe deposit boxes, drive-up lanes and a 24-hour drive-up ATM.

Plans also were announced for new banking center buildings on both Route 157 and Route 159 in Glen Carbon. We also unveiled plans for a 60,000-square-foot West Park Center building adjoining the Main Office. The new center, which will double the size of the Main Office, will improve our ability to serve customers by centralizing most of our operations.

2001 Construction was completed on our new Glen Carbon Center on Route 159. The new center, the 13th throughout Madison County, offers expanded services such as safe deposit boxes, drive-up lanes and a 24-hour drive-up ATM. Construction also continued on the 71,000-square-foot West Park Center building adjoining the Main Office. The new center, which will double the size of the Main Office, will improve our ability to serve customers by centralizing most of our operations.

In April, we unveiled a new innovative service - Loans 24/7 - allowing customers to apply for a loan with us anytime...24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service allows customers to call our Magic Phone or to visit our Online Center at www.4thebank.com to apply for personal, auto, mortgage, home improvement and other loans.

2002 In late January, we marked the 30th anniversary at our current downtown Main Office location with the unveiling of a 900 pound terra cotta architectural ornament. The terra cotta, which was restored and reassembled for permanent display in the West Park Center, was preserved from TheBANKs five-story building built in 1914, 46 years after we were founded.

2003 In January we marked TheBANKs 135th anniversary. In February, we opened our new Glen Carbon Center on Route 157 near Meridian Road. The new center, our 14th throughout Madison County, offers expanded services such as safe deposit boxes, drive-up lanes and a 24-hour drive-up ATM.

Another milestone was achieved early in the year when TheBANK reached the $1 billion asset level for the first time in its history.

2004 TheBANK added to its long list of innovative products and services by offering Online Statements, a quicker and more convenient way of receiving account statements through online banking.

TheBANK’s Trust & Financial Services Department was renamed the Financial Management Group. The new name will help to emphasize the substantially expanded service and expertise they offer including investments, financial planning and trust services. In addition, TheBANK’s commercial banking and lending operation were consolidated under the new name “Commercial Banking Group”.

Two innovative clubs were introduced mid-year: the “Rewards Club” for customers 18-49 and the “Encore Club” for customers 50 and above. Each club offers exclusive free benefits, special rates, discounts and travel opportunities to its members.

2005 For the first time in our history, TheBANK were chosen as one of the Top 50 businesses shaping the future of the Greater St. Louis area by the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association. Businesses named among the Top 50 award winners were selected for their contributions to the region, their positive impact on the business community, their success and their adherence to core business values.

2006 In March, TheBANK expanded its reach into St. Clair County with a the opening of its O’Fallon Banking Center, TheBANK’s 15th location in the Metro East. The full-service facility was purchased from Old National Bank.

A new department of Mortgage Originators, responsible for the mortgage sales efforts in residential real estate lending services throughout Madison and St. Clair Counties was introduced in the spring of the year. Designed to meet customers’ lending needs at any time, seven days a week, their motto is--“Anywhere you need us. . .at TheBANK, at TheOFFICE, at TheKITCHEN TABLE. . .we will be there for you!” By year’s end, TheBANK’s team of mortgage loan originators were commended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for closing more than $3 million in rural housing loans in 2006.

The Commercial Banking Group introduced an innovative remote capture service called “Deposit@Work”. The new service allows commercial customers to scan checks and deposits and electronically transmit them to TheBANK directly from their places of business.

TheBANK installed its first image-enabled drive-up ATM. This ground-breaking new ATM allows customers to make envelope-free deposits and receive printed images of their deposited checks on their ATM receipt.

By the fall of the year, extensive interior and exterior remodeling was completed on TheBANK’s Collinsville and Granite City / Nameoki centers which further increased customer convenience at both locations.

2007 After 30 years of service, TheBANK’s landmark Montclaire Center was replaced with a new state-of-the-art Edwardsville Center/Troy Road facility to offer greater convenience. Opened in January and located one block south of it original location, this new banking center offers an expanded lobby area, additional drive-up lanes and a drive-up ATM.

In August, TheBANK’s Cougar Banking Center opened on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Located in the Morris University Center, TheBANK’s 16th banking location conveniently offers full-service banking options to all students, faculty and staff. In addition, the “Cougar Club” offering exclusive free benefits, special rates, discounts and travel opportunities was introduced to the SIUE community.

Also in August, TheBANK’s 17th banking location in the Metro East--the new Bethalto Center--was opened at 102 East Bethalto Boulevard. This full-service banking center adds another point of convenience for TheBANK’s customers in the Riverbend area. As the same time, the former Bethalto Center located on Route 111 was renamed the East Alton Center.

The 4,700 square-foot Belleville Center--TheBANK’s 18th location in the Metro East and second in St. Clair County-- opened in October. The new banking facility is complete with four drive-up lanes, an image-enabled drive-up ATM, safe deposit boxes, night deposit, and spacious lobby.

2008 On January 1, TheBANK officially celebrated its 140th anniversary. Throughout its year-long celebration, TheBANK will be honoring its tradition and history of quality service, community involvement and staff dedication with the theme: “We’re Our Customers • Our Community • Our Employees”.

TheBANK is the leading, locally-owned community bank in the Metro East. With locations in Alton, Belleville, Bethalto, Collinsville, East Alton, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Granite City, Highland, O’Fallon, Pontoon Beach, SIUE and Troy, TheBANK’s assets exceed $1.1 billion.