Old Fort Banking Company History 

The Old Fort Banking Company is a locally owned and operated financial institution.  Founded in 1916 by citizens of the village of Old Fort, Ohio, the bank was chartered in 1916 as a state institution. The bank’s name and philosophy has remained the same over the years.  Serving people with respect, concern for the community, and employing secure business practices is a tradition which is just as important today as it was in 1916. 

1917 – Old Fort Bank constructed its first facility located at 8034 Main Street, Old Fort, and opened its doors for business on April 4, 1917.

1957 - Old Fort Bank was approached by the Business Men’s Association of Bettsville with a request to open an office in their community.  The new office was opened in avacated building located on the corner of State Street and Union Street in Bettsville.  

1979 - Old Fort Bank built a modern facility in Bettsville, which offered a lobby area and drive through services located at 238 State Street.

1987 – Old Fort Bank was the first bank in the area to open a banking office in a grocery store. The office located in Green Springs, offered a novel and innovative way of providing banking services at that time.  This location was closed in 2006. 

1988 – Old Fort Bank constructed a new facility in Tiffin, located at 634 West Market Street.  Old Fort Bank remained the local community bank as each bank in Tiffin sold to regional competitors.  A few years later, the Westgate Financial Center was enlarged, nearly doubling the size of the building.  

1995 – Old Fort Bank purchased a vacant bank building in the Tiffin downtown business area. Located at 33 E. Market Street, this facility filled the void left in the downtown district as other financial institutions closed their doors. Today this financial center is one of the largest of the bank’s facilities, staffed by more than 25 employees. 

1996 – Old Fort Bank continued to grow into new markets that were in need of a local community bank.  The bank purchased a bank building in Fostoria located at 599 Plaza Drive in the Fostoria Plaza Shopping area. An addition was built to the existing structure to meet the needs of area clients.   

1999 – The bank purchased property and constructed a full service financial center at 300 West State Street in Fremont. The new location is centrally located, just minutes from any location within the city limits.  With the construction of this facility, Old Fort Bank maintains  a presence in Sandusky County.  

2000 – As we moved into a new century, the Old Fort Banking Company introduced internet banking.  While not a bricks and mortar facility, this service continues to prove that community banking and technology works hand in hand, providing services to clients who enjoy the convenience of online banking.

2003 – As our great state of Ohio celebrated its Bicentennial, Old Fort Bank had a celebration of its own…the opening of their eighth full-service office in Clyde. The new office located at 651 W. McPherson Highway was constructed and completed by local contractors.  The new staff consisted of all area Clyde residents.

2007 – A need for service in North Fremont was provided with the opening of a new drive through facility at 2140 Enterprise Drive.  This facility located off State Route 53 in a populated shopping area, was welcomed by our clients.

2007 – As Old Fort Bank transitioned to new leadership, it also achieved additional growth. A loan production office was opened in Findlay, with plans to open a full service facility in the near future.

2008 – The bank broke ground for a new full service financial center located at 15030 Flag City Drive in Findlay. In September, 2008, while Wall Street and the banking industry were suffering financial instability involving bail outs and buy outs of national "mega" banks, Old Fort Bank celebrated the opening of a new facility in Findlay. This was the first venture into a larger market, as Old Fort Bank brought their style of local community banking to Hancock County.

2008 – An opportunity presented itself to open a loan processing office to primarily serve the commercial business needs in the Centerville, Ohio area.  With local, experienced staff employed, Old Fort Bank looks forward to blazing new trails in this community.

Locally Owned and Operated - Old Fort Banking Company is pleased that Dianne Gillmor Krumsee carries on the tradition of leadership following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Howard Fry...her father, Paul M. Gillmor...and her brother Paul E. Gillmor. Dianne is pleased to have the guidance of her uncle, Ralph Gillmor, whose service to the board for the past 31 years has proven invaluable. Another generation was represented when Dianne's neice, Julie Gillmor Horne (daughter of Paul E. Gillmor) joined the board in 2007.  Julie learned from an early age the legacy of putting people first and lending a helping hand. Her fresh approach to business is a welcomed addition to the board. The Gillmor's philosophy of providing exceptional leadership, concern and commitment to their shareholders, clients and staff prevails as they continue the tradition of providing the highest standard of business practices and community service...a true community bank.

Old Fort Bank... Safe and Financially Sound - The Old Fort Banking Company is well capitalized, tightly regulated and more risk averse than big banks, and we continue to make loans in the communities we serve.  In spite of the trouble on Wall Street, we will remain committed to taking deposits and making loans on "Main Street."  We take pride in being the cornerstone in our communities and our role in keeping our local economies vibrant and healthy.

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