News and Press Releases

Jul 13, 2023

First National Bank Alaska celebrates 60 years on Kodiak Island

(KODIAK) On July 8, 1963, First National Bank Alaska opened its Kodiak Branch doors for the first time. A little over 60 years later, after weathering booms and busts, earthquakes and tsunamis, the bank will mark six decades of service to the Emerald Isle with a celebration at the branch on July 14. Members of the executive leadership team, including bank directors and officers, will travel to Kodiak to be part of the festivities. A highlight of the celebration will be a donation to the Kodiak Archipelago Leadership Institute (KALI).

First National will donate $6,000 to KALI to help furnish supplies for their Alutiiq Grown program, an agricultural collective of the five community and tribally owned farms on Kodiak Island. A sixth farm is planned for this summer to increase locally grown produce and help improve food security for these local communities, including the city of Kodiak, year-round. Alutiiq Grown is an important part of KALI’s mission to support the long-term sustainability of the region’s coastal communities of Alutiiq heritage.

“Even before we opened the branch, First National served the people and businesses of Kodiak through regular visits,” said Betsy Lawer, First National Board Chair and CEO/President. “The bank has always supported the communities we serve and the establishment of our branch was a tangible symbol of First National’s belief in Kodiak and Alaska, which remains as strong as the day it was opened. We’re underlining that commitment to the community with our support of KALI.”

The public is invited to the Customer Appreciation Anniversary Event, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 14, at the Kodiak Branch, 218 Center Ave.

Alaska’s community bank since 1922, First National proudly meets the financial needs of Alaskans with ATMs and 28 locations in 19 communities throughout the state, and by providing banking services to meet their needs across the nation and around the world.

In 2023, Alaska Business readers voted the bank the “Best of Alaska Business” in the Best Place to Work category for the eighth year in a row, Best Bank/Credit Union for the third time running and Best Corporate Citizen for a fourth time. American Banker recognized First National in 2022 as a “Best Bank to Work For” for the fifth year running. In the same year, Anchorage Daily News readers voted the bank one of the state’s top three financial institutions for the fourth year in a row in the ADN “Best of Alaska” Awards.

First National Bank Alaska is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

 

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