History
Our Story | Ground Breaking | Bank Completes IPO & Opens for Business
Construction & Bank Progress | Grand Opening | Our First Year

Our Story

A Bank Where People
Come First
Our story is about people.

A few people saw a need in the community-a need for a local bank, run by local people. Hundreds more welcomed the idea of a bank where people come first-a community bank where you know your banker, and your banker knows you.

First Community Bank of Joliet is that bank.

Summer-Fall 2002 - A string of mergers over several years meant the important locally owned banks in our area were swallowed by megabanks. As a result, many local business owners felt the need for a locally owned bank.

In the fall of 2002, a formal feasibility study was conducted, lead by a core group including: George Barr, Michael Hansen, the late Tom Lambrecht, and Steve Morrissette.

Spring-Summer 2003 - A group of 15 business leaders took steps to create a new community bank, collectively committing to invest more than $7 million dollars. These businessmen and women, officially called "organizers" by bank regulators, filed formal applications with state and federal regulators in July 2003.

The group formalized the mission to be a locally owned financial institution focused on the needs of area businesses and residents.

Bank Organizers

George Barr, Chair Mary Margaret Cowhey Terry D'Arcy John Dollinger Roger D'Orazio

Rex Easton Patrick Graham Michael Hansen Patti Lambrecht John Manner Stephen Morrissette

Paul Pawlak Robert Sohol Mark Stofan Frank Turk, Jr.