BROOKINGS The year was 1925. South Dakota College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts now known as South Dakota State University began raising funds to build Lincoln Hall, and statewide momentum was building for the construction of Mount Rushmore.
Nationally, F. Scott Fitzgerald published his novel The Great Gatsby, and Babe Ruth as well as the jazz age were making headlines. Many notable events happened in 1925, including First Bank & Trust, a community bank out of Brookings, establishing its current bank charter.
In celebration of 100 years as a chartered bank, First Bank & Trust is hosting the BANKeasy Bash Centennial Celebration, a community-wide event.
The BANKeasy Bash honors the people and the community that made the past 100 years of banking possible, said Kevin Tetzlaff, First Bank & Trust president and CEO. Were opening our doors to Brookings and all who wish to celebrate with hopes for a day of gratitude, fun, and connection.
While the organization is celebrating its charters 100-year milestone, their roots in the financial industry run much deeper, spanning nearly 145 years beginning in 1880 when Horace Fishback Sr. started a check-cashing station in the back of a local general store. From there, the family steadily expanded their support for the Brookings community through a variety of financial services. In 1925, they secured the bank charter that would become First Bank & Trust, laying the foundation for a century of service. Today, that legacy continues, supporting economic growth not only in Brookings but also in 16 additional communities across South Dakota and Minnesota.
When we established the charter in 1925, it wasnt just about opening a bank; it was about building something lasting for the Brookings community, said Van Fishback, chairman and board member at First Bank & Trust. The Fishback family believed then, as we do now, that a strong community deserves a strong financial partner rooted in service and shared progress.
The BANKeasy Bash Centennial Celebration will take place at First Bank & Trusts downtown Brookings location on July 17 from 3 to 9 p.m. The event will feature entertainment for all ages, including a live musical performance by Phil Baker, games, a petting zoo, door prizes, and more. A free community meal will be served, and the evening will conclude with a dueling piano performance by Dueling Duo.
This is a celebration for the bank as well as the Brookings community, which has been part of our story for over 100 years, said Tetzlaff. We hope folks from across Brookings and the state will come out to enjoy the festivities and help us celebrate.
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