Our History
Community Bank has been a part of Superior, Wisconsin's business community since 1919. Growing and changing, Community Bank progressed as the community advanced. The following gives a quick overview of its evolution.
Community Savings Bank was founded by Ole G. Kinney; with initial capital of $50,000. The bank was first located in the North End of the city to serve the banking needs of the people in and around the area of 704 Tower Avenue. The proximity of the Superior harbor and business along the street were an advantage to the new bank. By 1930, the bank and its operations had grown along with the city. Community Savings Bank then moved to a larger facility located at 802 Tower Avenue.
Events in the business world were changing for the community, our country and the banking industry. Monitoring the addresses of clients showed the majority of the bank's customers were south of the current bank location. Customers were from the West End of the city known as Billings Park, the South End, East End, Allouez, Itasca and throughout Douglas County. The bank's Directors faced a decision to relocate for the convenience of the majority of customers or to stay in the current location.
After careful consideration of the advantages and disadvantages and in appreciation of the personal and business relationships developed, the decision was made to once again relocate. In September of 1941, the bank opened its doors at the current main bank location at 1214 Tower Avenue. Boasting new safe deposit boxes, a night depository, a solid glass front door, air conditioning, and a modern interior Community Savings Bank celebrated twenty plus years of customer service at the new site.
In October of 1953, the bank changed its name and charter from Community Savings Bank to Community Bank and Trust Company. This gave the bank the ability to exercise trust powers and to expand services for its personal and business customers in the trust area.
Business at the bank and its customer base continued to grow. In 1971, the bank expanded the 1214 tower Avenue facility an additional 25 feet along Tower Avenue. The project included a massive facelift and additions. With a goal to promote faster and more efficient customer service in depository, loan, trust and insurance services, the newly remodeled bank featured a new bookkeeping and accounting area, expanded customer and officers' area, new tellers counter and an insurance company.
Over the years, banking continued to change and in 1996, and Community Bank and Trust Company saw a gradual shift in the community. The Bank adapted to those changes and shortened its name to Community Bank. Technology too was changing. To better serve the expanding customer base, a second bank location at 3701 Tower Avenue was constructed. The new facility has all banking services including a full service Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and an Investment Center.
Continuing to move its banking business forward, Community Bank's next step was expanding into Douglas County. To promote service in the Solon Springs area, the bank added an ATM, night depository and lock box services at JT's One Stop on Highway 53. Customers from Solon Springs and the surrounding communities conveniently make deposits, have coin and currency couriered to their lock box and access cash from their accounts without driving into the bank's Superior location.
By 2000, customer service enabling University of Wisconsin-Superior faculty and students to conduct their banking business on site was a new advantage to be considered. Community Bank contracted with UW-Superior for a branch facility and ATM within the Rothwell Student Center. Convenient to students, faculty and neighborhood customers, the new branch meets the bank's goals and purpose as it serves an ever changing community.
Community Bank's primary focus has been, and will continue to be quality, convenient customer service at a fair price. It's most important asset is a satisfied customer. The bank continues to grow and add services as the community and technology changes. The bank's loyal customers keep it growing. As the bank's motto says, "Big enough to serve you ... Small enough to know you. "
