First National Bank of Lima - circa 1870's Unissued Ohio Banking Stock Certificate

Unissued Stock printed by Ehrgott & Krebs, Lith. Cincinnati. Lima, Ohio. Early attractive vignette!

The First National Bank of Lima, Ohio, has been a pivotal institution in the city’s industrial and economic development since its establishment in 1863. Coinciding with the enactment of the National Banking Act, it became the first institution in Lima to receive a federal charter. Initially serving a small agricultural community, the bank’s growth accelerated with the discovery of oil in the region during the 1880s. As Lima transformed into a global center for petroleum and locomotive manufacturing, the bank provided the vital capital that propelled local entrepreneurs and facilitated the expansion of the city’s infrastructure.

Throughout the 20th century, the bank became synonymous with the iconic “First National Bank Building” situated on Public Square. This towering architectural landmark, completed in the mid-1920s, epitomized Lima’s urban sophistication. Despite the economic fluctuations of the Great Depression and the evolving dynamics of the Rust Belt in subsequent decades, the institution maintained its steadfast presence as a local fixture. After over a century of autonomy, the bank underwent several mergers and acquisitions during the banking consolidation era of the late 1900s, ultimately becoming part of larger regional entities such as Huntington National Bank. Presently, while the original name has undergone a change, the legacy of the First National Bank continues to thrive through the historic skyline it contributed to shaping and the generational wealth it facilitated for Lima’s citizens.