Who We Are

History of Forest Park Bank

On May 15, 1943, the Bank opened its doors for the first time as the First State Bank of Forest Park. Because the Great Depression had deprived the town of Forest Park of any bank for eleven years, the opening of a bank was received with a robust celebration including a parade on Madison Street. The country was still struggling economically and U.S. soldiers were fighting in the midst of World War II in Germany and Japan, but the return of a bank to Forest Park was seen as a symbol of hope and a return to the promise of elements of the American Dream.

In the years following the opening there were significant benchmarks in the growth of the Bank from its beginning, some of which are detailed in the list below.

• On November 18, 1946, the Bank became a National Bank, changing its name to Forest Park National Bank.

• In 1973, Forest Park National Bank celebrated its 30th Anniversary by extensively remodeling and refurbishing the Bank's interior, adding drive-up accommodations in the rear of the building and involving the second floor of the building for bank purposes.

• In 1980, the Holding Company, First Forest Park Corporation, was formed.

• In 1983, Forest Park National Bank celebrated its 40th Anniversary by opening a new all modern facility on Roosevelt Road.

• In 1989, Jerome R. Vainisi, Chairman of the Board, and C. William Hughes, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, became the owners of the Bank with the goal of enhancing the reputation of the Bank as a privately owned, independent, community bank.

• In 1990, Forest Park National Bank installed an ATM machine in the Drive-up at the Roosevelt Road facility and another in the vestibule of the Madison Street facility.

• In 1991, the Bank opened a training center to provide employees with an in-house training area.

• In 1992, the Operations Department was completely remodeled and a new Item Processing Center was installed to improve and control the procession of all-checking transactions to customer accounts.

• In October 1992, new computerized teller equipment was installed at each teller workstation to provide better service to our customers.

• In April 1992, the Forest Park National Bank formed Forest Mortgage Services, enabling the Bank to provide a complete menu of residential mortgage products for our customers.

• In 1993, Forest Park National Bank celebrated its 50th Anniversary. The Bank introduced a new strategic plan to fulfill our Mission Statement To Deliver Quality Financial Services.

• In 1994, Forest Park National Bank opened its newly remodeled section (formerly known as the Loan Department) to the public. The remodeling included three offices, a conference room, and an entrance and restroom to accommodate the disabled.

• On March 1, 1997, the title of Forest Park National Bank was changed to Forest Park National Bank & Trust Co.

• On May 10, 1999, Jerry Vainisi became the President and CEO and owner of Forest Park National Bank & Trust Co.

• In 2003, Forest Park National Bank & Trust Co. celebrated its 60th Anniversary. The Bank built a completely re-designed drive-through facility at the Madison Street Bank, adding an ATM, and re-decorated the Roosevelt Road Facility.

• During the summer and autumn of 2007, the interior of the Madison Street Bank was completely remodeled and redecorated and technology was significantly upgraded. This was done in anticipation of the Bank's celebration of its 65th Anniversary in 2008.

• During 2008 the Forest Park National Bank & Trust Co. celebrated its 65th Anniversary.

• Beginning May 15 (the actual 65th Anniversary date) and continuing through August 15, the Bank lobby featured a display of memorabilia associated with the founding of the Bank. Throughout the year, newspaper ads calling attention to the Anniversary and featuring Bank personnel were published in local.

• On January 25, 2010, Daniel G. Watts was appointed President and Chief Operations Officer of Forest Park National Bank & Trust Co. Jerome Vainisi became the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

• In 2011 the ownership of Forest Park National Bank & Trust Co. was expanded from the Founding Shareholders Jerome R. Vainisi and Doris L. Vainisi to include a limited number of minority shareholders.

• The Bank celebrated its 75th Anniversary on the day and month it was founded in 1943.There was a large party with a celebration tent raised over Hannah Street, and with food and drink and music provided to over 500 guests who responded to a general invitation to the community. This party was the kick-off for a re- branding initiative that involved, among other things, the introduction of a new logo and an official shortening of the Bank's business name to Forest Park Bank.