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1835

City of Talladega, Ala. is incorporated

City of Talladega, Ala. is incorporated

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1848

Growing Quickly

Talladega quickly began to grow. The Stagecoach started coming to town once a week; mail was being delivered regularly; a major road from Montgomery, Ala. was under construction; and the railroad was coming to town. One entrepreneur, Major James Isbell, decided that the bustling city was in need of a bank, so he opened a new business under the name of James Isbell, Banker. Isbell did not know it at the time, but he started what would become the oldest continuously operating bank in the state of Alabama.

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1858

Alabama Institute for the Deaf and the Blind

Talladega citizens worked to continue the upward growth of the town and the first school for the visually impaired, now known as the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and the Blind, was opened.

1861

Civil War

The Civil War gripped the nation. While the Talladega townspeople were initially divided on secession from the Union, they ultimately united to form a company of troops, the Talladega Rifles, to fight for the Confederacy. The town supported the war effort by providing uniforms, a nitre works, a hospital for the wounded and a prison for Union soldiers.  

1864

Talladega Invaded

Talladega was invaded in July by Union General Lovell H. Rousseau. His mission was to destroy the Western Railroad which supplied Confederate troops to the fight in Atlanta. Rousseau’s soldiers inflicted considerable damage on the town, burning the railroad depot and a number of Confederate supply houses. 

1865

General Robert E. Lee Surrenders

General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Va. on April 9, but the war still raged on in Talladega. Nearly two weeks after Lee’s surrender, Talladega was violently attacked by General John T. Croxton as he led the last of Wilson’s Raiders into town.

The Isbell Bank remained open during the course of the war and reconstruction, continually supporting its customers.

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1869

Bank Construction Completed

Construction of the "Old Bank” was completed in 1869. The building was a beautiful terra cotta structure built just off the town square on North Street East, just a few yards from the bank's current location. Banking operations were conducted here from 1869 until 1963. The "Old Bank" is one of only five buildings east of the Mississippi River featuring terra cotta architecture that is still standing today.

Shortly after the move to the "Old Bank" in 1869, Major Isbell organized the City National Bank of Selma, Ala. He relocated to Selma and served as President of the bank until his death on December 6th, 1871. 

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1871

Isbell & Company, Bankers

Upon the death of Major Isbell, his son, Captain Robert Isbell, became senior partner. The name of the bank was changed to Isbell & Company, Bankers. Around the same time, William Park Armstrong, son-in-law of James Isbell, joined the firm. Robert adhered to the same methods and rules employed by Major Isbell, and the bank continued its success with the same reputation, fidelity and skill for which it had become known.

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1885

Silk Stocking District

The historical Silk Stocking District began to take shape as beautiful homes were built, primarily during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There are 15 homes in the district that were built prior to 1870. Today, the Silk Stocking District is on the National Historical Register.

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1893

National Bank Charter

On January 11, Isbell & Company, Bankers applied for, and received, a National Bank Charter. The bank was given charter number 4838 and the name officially changed to The Isbell National Bank of Talladega.

1907

Prosperity in Talladega

Prosperity continued to grace Talladega. Prominent citizen, Mrs. Lou McElderry Jemison donated the land and $10,000 towards building Talladega’s Public Library with the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. The building was built by local contractor Robert S. West and served as the main library until a new library was constructed directly behind this one in the 1970′s. The Jemison-Carnegie library is one of only four remaining Carnegie-affiliated buildings in Alabama. The building now serves as the home to the Heritage Hall Museum for local history and the arts.

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1948

Celebrating 100 Years of Business

Isbell National Bank celebrated 100 years of business in Talladega. The bustling city boasted a population of 16,000, and transportation was no longer a problem. Highways and railroads connected with once distant points. At this time, the rich soil and natural resources around the city of Talladega began to draw farmers and factories to town. Isbell National Bank of Talladega continued to enjoy the same success. Throughout the bank’s 100 year history, it is “the golden thread of faith and service which makes The Isbell National Bank a landmark of integrity and endurance.”

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1963

New Location for the "Old Bank"

After nearly 100 years in the “Old Bank” building, Isbell National Bank moved into a new location on North Street East, just a few doors down from the old Isbell Bank building.

1968

Talladega Superspeedway Opened

The Talladega Superspeedway first opened for business. The track hosts more than 140,000 fans each year and is home to top tier NASCAR races. The Superspeedway holds the record of 216.309 mph for the fastest recorded time by a NASCAR stock car in a closed oval course, set by Rusty Wallace on June 9, 2004.

1969

Isbell National Bank Expands

Isbell National Bank expanded their business and a full-service branch was opened in Lincoln, Ala., just a few miles north of Talladega.

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1974

Update to Drive-Thru

Isbell National Bank modernized the operation and a drive-thru motor bank was built on the hill behind the bank building.

1978

First National Bank of Talladega

The bank is transformed again as the name is changed from Isbell National Bank to The First National Bank of Talladega to better reflect the location and customers.

1988

Expanding in Munford

After 140 years of continued success, First National Bank of Talladega opened in Munford, Ala. with a full-service branch to serve the community.

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2015

Change to First Bank of Alabama

The First National Bank of Talladega Board of Directors vote to make the bank a state-chartered bank. The board also votes to adopt the new name First Bank of Alabama

2017

Continued Success in Talladega County

First Bank of Alabama remains independently owned and operated and proudly serves Talladega County as its primary trade area. By following the ideals and principles of founder Major Isbell, the bank has grown to nearly $400 million in assets and maintains high ratings by a number of independent bank rating firms.

Aside from serving the banking needs of its communities, First Bank and its employees are actively involved in a number of fundraising efforts every year. Cash for the Classroom is a program started by employees of First Bank to help local schools.

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2017

First Bank of Alabama Acquires Bank of Wedowee

On October 1, 2017, FirstBanc of Alabama Inc., the parent company of First Bank of Alabama acquired Swann Bancshares, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank of Wedowee. The Bank of Wedowee was founded on February 6, 1906, by Dr. J.C. Swann, with $25,000 in capital stock. Dr. Swann was elected as its first president. Since Bank of Wedowee's founding, the bank had eight presidents. John W. Carlisle was elected to succeed Swann, and he served until 1954. He was followed by W.E. Matthews, who served until 1958. John G. Swann (son of the bank's founder) served until 1969, followed by Sam W. Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter served until 2000. He was followed by Robert B. Folsom, Jr., who served until 2004. Roger E. Campbell served until 2013. The Board of Directors then elected Mitchell G. (Mitch) Key in 2013 as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board where he served until the acquisition in 2017. This acquisition expanded First Bank of Alabama's presence into eastern Alabama with the addition of three full service branches in Randolph County to include the cities of Wedowee, Roanoke and Woodland.  

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2018

First Bank of Alabama Expands To Clay County

After 170 years of continued success, on March 1, 2018, First Bank of Alabama opened their seventh office in Ashland, Alabama with a full-service branch to serve the community.  

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December 3, 2019

First Bank Of Alabama Expands To Calhoun County

On December 3, 2019,  First Bank of Alabama opened their eighth full service office in Oxford, Alabama.

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October 28, 2020

First Bank of Alabama Acquires SouthFirst Bank

Talladega, AL – October 28, 2020 – FirstBanc of Alabama, Inc. of Talladega, AL, parent company of First Bank of Alabama, and SouthFirst Bancshares, Inc. of Sylacauga, AL, parent company of SouthFirst Bank, announced today the signing of a definitive agreement whereby FirstBanc will acquire 100% of the stock of SouthFirst Bank. FirstBanc will pay all-cash consideration to SouthFirst Bancshares, Inc. as the sole shareholder of SouthFirst Bank; other financial terms were not disclosed. SouthFirst Bank will be merged with and into First Bank of Alabama as part of the transaction.

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of both institutions but remains subject to customary conditions, including the approval of SouthFirst Bancshares, Inc.’s shareholders and the receipt of required regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close no later than the second quarter of 2021

April 15, 2021

SouthFirst Acquisition Completed

The SouthFirst acquisition was fianalized on April 15,2021. This expanded First Bank of Alabama's presence into Chilton County and added two more offices serving the cities of Sylacauga and Clanton. This acquisition brings the total number of branches to 10. 

October 1, 2022

First Bank of Alabama Expands To Cleburne County

Through the acquisition of two (2) Southern States Bank offices, one located in Heflin, Alabama and the other in Ranburne, Alabama, First Bank of Alabama expands their footprint into Cleburne County.

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May 31, 2024

Anniston Grand Opening

First Bank of Alabama expanded their footprint in Calhoun County with the grand opening of its Anniston location. This marked their 13th branch location in east-central Alabama. 

September 19, 2024

Groundbreaking in Childersburg

First Bank of Alabama held a groundbreaking ceremony for their 14th location in Childersburg. This site marks a significant achievement as the first branch constructed from the ground up during Chad Jones's leadership. 

 
Growing Quickly
1848

City of Talladega, Ala. is incorporated

Growing Quickly

Alabama Institute for the Deaf and the Blind

Civil War

Talladega Invaded

General Robert E. Lee Surrenders

Bank Construction Completed

Isbell & Company, Bankers

Silk Stocking District

National Bank Charter

Prosperity in Talladega

Celebrating 100 Years of Business

New Location for the "Old Bank"

Talladega Superspeedway Opened

Isbell National Bank Expands

Update to Drive-Thru

First National Bank of Talladega

Expanding in Munford

Change to First Bank of Alabama

Continued Success in Talladega County

First Bank of Alabama Acquires Bank of Wedowee

First Bank of Alabama Expands To Clay County

First Bank Of Alabama Expands To Calhoun County

First Bank of Alabama Acquires SouthFirst Bank

SouthFirst Acquisition Completed

First Bank of Alabama Expands To Cleburne County

Anniston Grand Opening

Groundbreaking in Childersburg

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