By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – A Humboldt financial institution is celebrating a major milestone this week.
Bank Iowa marked its 50th anniversary Thursday with an open house at its downtown Humboldt location, thanking customers and the community for five decades of support.
While the organization is celebrating 50 years under the ownership of the Duncan and Barr families, the Humboldt location has a much longer history. Humboldt Trust & Savings Bank became part of the Bank Iowa family in 1989, and the bank officially adopted the Bank Iowa name in 2004. Today, Bank Iowa remains family owned, with community banking locations across Iowa.
While the name has changed over the years, Bank Iowa President Angie Ferk says the ownership has remained the same.
“The bank was formerly known as Humboldt Trust & Savings Bank,” Ferk said. “However, it’s been under the same family ownership. The Duncan and Barr families have owned the bank for the last 50 years, and today it’s known as Bank Iowa.”
Ferk has spent nearly her entire career with the bank, joining the staff in 2002 and serving as president since 2021. During that time, she’s witnessed tremendous changes, from a major remodeling project in 2005 to the rapid evolution of banking technology.
“One of the biggest changes has been technology,” Ferk said. “How much you can do now on your cell phone or computer. When I started, mobile banking wasn’t even a thought.”
Despite those technological advances, Ferk says the most rewarding part of community banking hasn’t changed.
“Seeing someone buy their first home or helping a business owner get started is incredibly rewarding,” she said. “The bank also believes in investing in our community because when the community thrives, everybody benefits.”
In keeping with that commitment, Bank Iowa announced a special community donation during Thursday’s celebration. In honor of the bank’s 50th anniversary, the bank is donating $2,400 to help eliminate negative school lunch account balances across Humboldt County. The donation includes $1,500 to the Humboldt Community School District, $500 to St. Mary’s School, and $200 each to the Gilmore City-Bradgate and Twin Rivers school districts.
Ferk says reaching the 50-year milestone reflects the relationships the bank has built over the decades.
“Our commitment has always been to our customers and our community,” Ferk said. “But we also couldn’t be here without our customers. We want to thank them for entrusting us with their business and for the relationships we’ve developed over the years.”
Bank Iowa currently employs 17 people in Humboldt between its downtown office and drive-up facility. Ferk says the dedicated staff also plays an important role in the bank’s success.
“It’s really great having a good team,” she said. “They’re very active in the community, and that’s important to the bank.”
Looking ahead, Ferk says the goal is simple.
“We want to be here for another 50 years and beyond,” she said. “We’ll continue asking how we can help the community and our customers succeed and keep developing those relationships.”
Thursday’s anniversary celebration featured ice cream sundaes, commemorative silicone cups, and prize drawings that included backpack coolers, Carhartt sweatshirts, gift cards to local businesses, and tickets to the Humboldt County Fair grandstand concert and truck pull.