Our Story

1877

Bank of Washington's Original Stockholders

The Bank of Washington's Original Stockholders are Frederick Hendrich, Leopold Wattenberg, Frederick W. Stumpe, John D. Hibbeler (not pictured) and John B. Busch.

The Bank of Washington builds its own facility on a vacant lot just east of its first location. Today, this building still features the 'BANK' sign in its molding.

F. W. Stumpe becomes the 3rd President of the Bank of Washington. Stumpe, known as “Banker Stumpe”, was such a hardworking officer, that at the time of his death, he had almost 56 years in the banking business. He leads the bank from 1902 to 1921.

O. W. Arcularius becomes the 4th President of the Bank of Washington. He leads the bank from 1921 to 1936.

The Bank of Washington purchases an impressive round security door for its vault and is the first in the area to offer the community the opportunity to rent safe deposit boxes. 

The vault door continues to impress bank customers today. It is 26,000 pounds of steel measuring eight feet in diameter and 20 inches thick. During installation, this 13-ton door fell through the floor and into the basement! One of the cables that lifted the door from Mr. Mueller’s solid rubber-tired ‘Big Mac’ truck snapped as the door was being positioned on its hinges and it fell through the floor and landed in the cellar. The horses that were hitched to the truck, and provided additional pulling power during the moving from the railcar to the bank, had to be restrained when they heard the crash. The story has become a legend, and even in 1977, local writer, Stanley Wilke, wrote: 'Over a half a century has now passed and the bank’s vault hinges have never failed to provide smooth swinging for the gigantic symbol of security, Washington’s own Fort Knox!'

A. C. Rumpelt becomes the 5th President of the Bank of Washington. He leads the bank from 1936 to 1951.

Donald N. Asel becomes the 6th President of the Bank of Washington. He leads the bank from 1951 to 1962.

1954

1st Walk Up Teller Window

Louis B. Eckelkamp becomes the 7th President of the Bank of Washington. He leads the bank from 1962 until his passing in 1983. "As Chairman and President, I believe the concept of an independent bank, local people serving local people, has greatly contributed to the prosperity of our community."

The Bank of Washington completes an expansion that doubles its footprint by building to the west. The exterior of the building is wrapped in limestone panels.

The Bank of Washington celebrates 100 years!

Robert L. Vossbrink becomes the 8th President of the Bank of Washington. He leads the bank from 1983 to 1992. Bob remained serving on the Board of Directors of the bank until his passing in 2010.

1984

First In-House Computer

2007

Community Advisory Board

2009

Mobile Banking

The Bank of Washington completes the biggest building project in its history when it nearly triples the size of its headquarters in downtown Washington. The project involved building a steel “table” over the existing bank building to support a separate three-story building above it. The two buildings are now covered with a single brick and stone façade to make them look like one. The design features historical architectural influences from other buildings downtown.

Louis B. 'Buzz' Eckelkamp, III becomes the 10th President of the Bank of Washington. Buzz becomes the third generation of the Eckelkamp family to lead the bank.

2014

Instant Issue Debit Cards

Bank of Washington celebrates serving the community for 140 years!

Bank of Washington’s 14th Street Branch gets a complete, comprehensive remodel, including redesigning the floor plan and a complete cosmetic update. Customers are no longer greeted by an employee behind a teller line, but rather by a universal associate out from behind a desk who can help with anything from depositing a whole piggy bank of coins to opening an account.

Bank of Washington releases a new upgraded digital banking platform, replacing six legacy systems with one system, allowing for an omni-channel experience for both personal and business customers. The upgraded platform offers an open interface, making it significantly easier and faster for the Bank to add new digital features.

Bank of Washington’s branch location inside Schnucks gets a complete, comprehensive remodel that includes a complete redesign of the space, incorporates new technology with two new Live ATM vestibules, a centralized transaction and consulting space, and back-office space.

Bank of Washington launches Live ATMs, allowing customers to interact directly with a Bank of Washington banker on the screen of an ATM and perform routine transactions like they would at a traditional teller line - 7 days a week!