Our History and Mission

Mission

Our mission is to provide superior financial service with honesty, professionalism and confidentiality, while promoting economic growth and stability in the communities we serve.

In fulfilling our mission, our goals will be to:

1. Exceed our customers’ expectations.
2. Serve our community by contributing our talents and leadership involvement.
3. Nurture a staff that is friendly, respectful and knowledgeable, as well as maintain an enjoyable work environment for them to thrive and grow.
4. Maintain a healthy, growing profitable institution.

History

The bank's story began in May of 1888 in St. Paul, NE when five shareholders – A. A. Kendall, W. A. Wilson, Ed McCormick, Husted Agar and T. F. McCarty – incorporated Citizens National Bank. The bank officially opened its doors on July 5, 1888. In 1911, Citizens National Bank became Citizens State Bank, before converting back to a national bank in 1930. Citizens Bank & Trust Co. has always been located where we are today, at the corner of 7th Street and Howard Avenue. In 1957, the two-story building was torn down, and a new building was constructed while the bank continued operations in the showroom of Jarecke Motors. By 1975, Citizens National Bank tore down the old Howard County Herald building to the west, allowing the bank to add on. The addition included the drive-up window. Citizens National Bank converted back to a state bank in 1980 and has been known as Citizens Bank & Trust Co. ever since. In 1983, Harvey's Penny Store and Dean Armstrong's Law Office were torn down to make room for another bank expansion, the one you currently see today. 

Loup City first opened in 2000, located at 133 S 7th Street, as a Loan Production office of Citizens Bank & Trust Co. On January 28th, 2002, the Loup City location opened as a nationally chartered, full-service bank under the name Citizens National Bank.  Shortly after opening as a full-service bank, Citizens National Bank began planning the construction of their new location which they would move to on December 20th, 2004. Citizens National Bank converted back to a state bank in May of 2006. In December of 2009, Citizens State Bank merged with its sister bank, Citizens Bank & Trust Co. in St. Paul.

Central Bank was the first new bank in Central City since the bank holiday in 1933. Located in the former Hord Grain Company building on 16th Street, the new bank was the culmination of over a year’s worth of work, planning, and preparing by many Central City area residents. As with most institutions, the names of stockholders and officers of Central Bank have changed over the 54 years of operation. Ervin E. Hesselgesser was an original director and officer. Throughout his lifetime, his wife Janice L. Hesselgesser and sons, Van L. Hesselgesser and Joe L. Hesselgesser joined him in the banking business. In 2009, the Hesselgesser family sold Central Bank to Carl & Karen Brasee, and now operates as another location of Citizens Bank & Trust Co.