During the period of the 1860’s, President Lincoln with the aid of the Congress and armed forces strove to preserve the union. To finance the War Between the States and lay a sound foundation to the economic future of the nation, Congress enacted the National Bank Act in 1863, which provided for the national chartering of banking institutions.

On August 15, 1863, the Comptroller of the Currency issued Charter No. 90 to a group of individuals in Upper Sandusky, Harpster, and the vicinity to open the First National Bank, located in Upper Sandusky.

With liabilities and assets of the Exchange Bank, which was founded in 1860, the First National Bank opened its doors on November 2, 1863.

The First National Bank and Citizens Savings Bank consolidated in 1946 forming The First Citizens National Bank of Upper Sandusky (First Citizens).

First Citizens purchased the assets of the Nevada Deposit Bank, which then became a branch office. This action became effective Tuesday, May 26, 1953, when the stockholders of the Nevada bank approved the sale.

In 1963, a modern brick drive-up facility was built a half block west of the main office on Wyandot Avenue. This had two convenient drive-up windows as well as a walk-in lobby.

An additional office was built in the northwest part of Upper Sandusky on Church Street in 1973. Due to changes in consumer banking habits, this branch was consolidated into the nearby Wyandot Avenue Drive-Up Branch in 2013.

In July 1991, First Citizens purchased the assets and liabilities of the Village Bank of Wharton. In addition to the main office in Wharton, the Village Bank operated an office in Dunkirk in Northern Hardin County. These offices became branch banking centers of First Citizens.

An opportunity for further geographic expansion was presented in 1992 when Diamond Savings sold its branch building in Carey to The First Citizens National Bank (the assets and liabilities had been sold to a regional bank holding company).

In June 2000, a branch office was constructed in the rapidly growing area of Powell, Ohio. The 2,300 square foot office serves the Southern Delaware County market, providing high service levels and reasonable fee structure that have been First Citizens trademarks.

A branch office was opened in on the south side of Marion, Ohio in August 2002. The 3,000 square foot office was built to serve the needs of existing and new customers as First Citizens has conducted loan business in Marion for many years. Its architectural design was based on the President Harding Memorial and Home.

A second Marion Banking Center on Eastlawn drive facing State Route 95 on Marion’s east side opened on February 20, 2018. Like the Carey office, the Eastlawn Drive branch has a design theme based on the President Harding Memorial and Home. The 4,000 square foot office also serves as the Bank’s backup site with a self-contained power source.

First Citizens National Bank had been serving customers in Delaware for several years from our Powell and Marion locations but with banks in the Delaware market consolidating and selling to out-of-state owners who are drastically raising fees and losing touch with local businesses, the Bank felt the time was right for a true community bank to step in to serve the community. In 2021, FCNB opened a full-service branch in Delaware and the construction of a major 2,200 square foot addition was completed in 2022.

Many changes have occurred over the years, but one thing remains the constant at The First Citizens National Bank. Pleasing customers has been and continues to be the Bank’s primary focus with an emphasis on expanding relationships with individual, business, and farm-related customers. As the needs of its customers evolve, First Citizens continues to adapt to meet those needs as a financial partner and trusted advisor.