Celebrating 50 Years of Fidelity

Celebrating 50 Years of Fidelity

Bank celebrates halfcentury in business

ralphhardin@gmail.com Being in business for 50 years is a reason to celebrate, and 50 years in the often-volatile banking industry means you must be doing something right.

Founded in West Memphis in 1966, Fidelity National Bank has now reached that impressive 50-year milestone. A half-century of service as a locally-owned and -operated bank, Fidelity is more than a bank, it’s an institution, serving not only Crittenden County, but St. Francis County and other regional customers.

The main office is on Broadway in West Memphis, along with another office at the Mid-Continent Plaza. They also have two offices in Marion, one on Military Road and one on Highway 77 between West Memphis and Marion. Additionally, the Hughes branch is on Broadway Street in Hughes, providing service to St. Francis County and the Horseshoe Lake community.

The Fidelity family and friends marked the occasion recently with a special Open House at the bank, with plenty of supporters and associates in attendance for the festivities.

Founding Director William Carlson was presented with a commemorative plaque proclaiming “50 Years Strong!”

Fidelity has operated as a true community bank, with nearly all of their depositors coming from the immediate area, allowing the bank to foster personal relationships with their customers. Staying true to that philosophy has served the bank over 50 years in business, exceeding $377 million is assets. The “Fidelity Bank” name has never changed in all these years, but the real growth of Fidelity began with the 1988 acquisition by the Carlson family. Beginning with $38 million in assets, the bank has seen almost a 900 percent increase since the Carlsons took over.

Fidelity now has 65 staff members, with many of them having been at the bank over 20 years, and half of the staff being on board for 10 years or more.

Fidelity National Bank utilizes the latest in bank technology to best serve the ever changing needs of their customers, such as Online Banking and Mobile Banking. They offer a full range of accounts and services, and with a recipe for success Fidelity has been and is sure to remain one of the leading entities in the community.

By Ralph Hardin