AMERICAN TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK

American Trust and Savings Bank

AMERICAN TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK. In 1991 Dubuque's second oldest bank. American Trust is the successor of the GERMAN SAVINGS BANK.

By 1907 the 18th and Couler (Central) Avenue branch had proven so popular that on October 14, 1911, the board of directors of the German Savings Bank met to consider opening another bank, the GERMAN AMERICAN SAVINGS BANK. The board of directors of the German Bank was asked to serve as provisional directors and officers of the bank until the first stockholders' meeting. Shareholders of the German Bank were offered an opportunity to buy stock of the new bank on November 30,1911. Each person was offered one share in the new institution for each share owned in the parent bank. The German American Savings Bank was chartered by the State of Iowa on December 27, 1911.

On January 16, 1912, the first annual stockholders meeting of the German American Savings Bank was held. The directors included Charles Christman, William S. Dennis, M. J. McCullough, Henry Michel, Nicholas J. SCHRUP, Sr., and Charles Joseph SPAHN, Sr. The German American and German Bank had identical directors and officers with the exception of Albert C. Lantzky. The furniture of the former branch bank was sold to the new institution, and the lease of the building was assumed for one dollar. Within nine months, the deposits of the German American Savings Bank had risen to $310,096.57.

The start of WORLD WAR I had a serious effect on banks in Iowa carrying "German" in their names. The charge was made that Germans were withdrawing their money from traditional banks and opening accounts in new banks because support had been demanded of them in the sale of war bonds.

Feeling the word "German" in their name would harm their business, the stockholders of German American Savings Bank changed the name of their institution. On April 28, 1918, German American Savings Bank became American Trust and Savings Bank. A new charter was issued in August 1918.

Bank cup and saucer. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

The change in name signaled an expansion of services the bank could offer in the field of trust services. With continued growth expected, a new bank building was constructed at 1842 Central and opened for business in August 1, 1918.

American Trust and Savings Bank lobby. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

In 1934 American Trust opened for business in the BANK AND INSURANCE BUILDING. American Trust and FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DUBUQUE were the only Dubuque banks to survive the Great Depression. (1) In 1945 American Trust moved across the street to the Federal Bank Building, its present location on TOWN CLOCK PLAZA.

Block used in printing. Photo courtesy: Joe Jacobsmeier

In 1986 American Trust acquired the Dyersville National Bank and the Dyersville office of Midland Savings Bank in 1990.

In 1990 American Trust announced its American Trust Super Money Market, Dubuque's first full-service retail bank facility located inside a grocery store. Found inside ECONOFOODS on John F. Kennedy Road, the center offered residents the opportunity to shop and complete their banking business with one stop. The purchase of the former MARKET PLACE DUBUQUE led to the unveiling of the remodeled American Trust Financial Center in 1991.

In 1985 ATBancorp (originally incorporated as Amtrust, Inc.) was formed to serve as the bank holding company for American Trust & Savings Bank. In 2013 ATBancorp was a two-bank holding company for American Trust and American Bank & Trust–Wisconsin. Headquartered in Dubuque, IA, ATBancorp is a banking organization with assets in excess of $900 million serving nine communities through seventeen banking facilities in Eastern and Central Iowa and Southwest Wisconsin. (4)

In 1998, ATBancorp acquired the Cuba City State Bank in Cuba City and Hazel Green, Wisconsin. ATBancorp announced the expansion of services in Wisconsin with a new office in Lancaster in 2001. All three Wisconsin offices were united under the new name of American Bank & Trust–WI. The year 2002 brought added growth with an office in Fennimore, Wisconsin. In July 2006, American Bank's newest office opened in Platteville, Wisconsin. (5)

ATBancorp extended into other banking markets as well. In March 2003, the company became a significant investor in a new state-chartered bank formed in San Mateo, California. State chartered United American Bank (UAB) was formed in 2003 and is a community bank specializing in commercial and private banking services. The bank grew quickly, and by 2007 UAB had grown to four California banking offices in San Mateo, Sunnyvale, Half Moon Bay, and Redwood City. (6)

The Financial Management Group division of American Trust with assets under management exceeding $1.2 billion, it is one of the largest independent Iowa-based operations in trust and related services. The Financial Management Group offers clients wealth management, retirement planning, investment, and brokerage services. In January 2005, the Financial Management Group began to offer wealth management services to United American Bank clients in California through its affiliation with ATBancorp. (7)

In 2006, a new ATBancorp subsidiary was formed to serve as a Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) company in the Financial Management Group division. ATFinancial Advisors provides strategic growth models and additional investment alternatives. (8)

American Trust's barometer in 2010 remained a distinctive landmark in the community.

Since 1975 one of the most distinctive features of the American Trust Building was its gigantic barometer that signals forecasts of the National Weather Service. Looking like a large lighted arrow from a distance, the instrument was wrapped by bands of red neon and topped by a cube that alternated between white, green or red. Rising temperatures were shown when the red bands flashed from the bottom to the top of the tower. Falling temperatures were shown when the bands flashed from the top to the bottom. Steady temperatures were indicated by the red neon being lit continuously. The cube at the top showed white for clear weather, green for clouds, red for rain, and flashing red for snow.

American Trust in 2013 had the following Iowa locations: (9)

Dubuque Downtown---------------895 Main St - Dubuque, IA 52001

Dubuque 9th and Locust---------913 Locust St - Dubuque, IA 52001

Dubuque West-------------------280 Kennedy Rd - Dubuque, IA 52002

Dubuque North------------------3250 Jackson St - Dubuque, IA 52001

Dubuque South------------------2600 Rockdale Rd - Dubuque, IA 52003

Inside Hartig Drug-------------1600 University Ave - Dubuque, IA 52001

Asbury Rd and NW Arterial------4730 Asbury Rd - Dubuque, IA 52002

Dyersville---------------------301 First Avenue E - Dyersville, IA 52040

Farley-------------------------400 First St SW - Farley, IA 52046

Hawthorne Plaza----------------9350 University Ave, Ste 138 - West Des Moines, IA 50266

Dyersville Highway 136 Office--1422 9th St. SE - Dyerville, IA 52040

Rare American Trust advertising umbrella. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

Savings bank-front

Savings bank-back

American Trust trinket box

Base of trinket box

Pride in 100 years of service was shown in 2011 with banners.

Children's savings book for dimes ca.1959

Inside of savings book

Second type of dime savings book

Pocket Pig-savings book for quarters

Inside of the quarter savings book. ca.1950s

See: BANKS AND BANKING

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Source:

1. List of Banks Now Operating Without Restrictions," Telegraph Herald and Times Journal, March 21, 1933, p. 1. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8v1QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Or4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5239,5073995&dq=american+trust+and+savings+bank+dubuque&hl=en

2. American Trust and Savings Bank website. Online: http://www.americantrust.com/info-center/locations/locations-and-hours.html

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Ibid.

7. Ibid.

8. Ibid.

"Our History...the Beginning," an American Trust Publication, compiled by Jerry ENZLER, Winter 2011

"Butchers, Bankers, and Cabinet Makers," Booklet accompanying the Robert Reding exhibit at the OLD JAIL 2007-2010