A first-class postage stamp cost just 2 cents and Calvin Coolidge was president when The First National Bank of Mount Dora opened in 1925.

The bank created to serve a growing Lake County has maintained a strong focus on personal relationships and local service through economic downturns, technological shifts and changing times.

Today, the bank gratefully upholds its enduring legacy and continues reflecting the values that spawned its success: trust, community engagement and steadfast dedication to customers.

“For the last 100 years, our success has been built on a deep dedication to our customers and community,” says Executive Vice President & CFO Andrew Kurtz. “As we look ahead, that same dedication will guide us into our next century of growth.”

The bank’s commitment extends far beyond financial services. Over the decades, its employees and leadership have served on local boards, supported schools, invested in youth programs and partnered with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Lake Cares.

In 1972, the bank assisted a key donor in establishing the Mount Dora Community Trust, a nonprofit charitable organization to support Mount Dora and Northeast Lake County.

The First National Bank of Mount Dora became well known for staying solvent in difficult times. During the Great Depression, the institution never closed its doors. The same approach continued through the Great Recession and COVID-19 pandemic, when staff worked extended hours helping customers navigate relief programs and financial uncertainty.

Leadership longevity also played a major role in the bank’s success. Several executives spent decades at the institution.

“We want to honor our legacy by blending modern banking convenience with the kind of personal, local relationships that built the bank from day one,” says John Pease, President of Trust and Investments.

By the numbers in 1925
● A loaf of bread cost around 9 cents
● Average price of a new house was roughly $6,000–$9,000
● The average yearly salary was around $1,200–$1,500
● Average price of a new Model T Ford was about $300–$500