About > History

Mission Statement | History | Board of Directors

The First National Bank of Herman has played a vital role in our community’s history for over 100 years. We were originally opened as The Peoples Bank in 1901 when Ernest E. Peck came to Herman. He helped open The Peoples Bank as an officer and stockholder. The Peoples Bank was reorganized as The First National Bank of Herman at a meeting held on January 4, 1906. The following were elected as directors of the Bank at this meeting: Rodney Hill, Ernest E. Peck, A.L. Nelson, C.B. Kloos and W.T. Ziebarth. The elected bank officers were Rodney Hill, President; C.B. Kloos, Vice President; E.E. Peck, Cashier; and A.L. Nelson, Assistant Cashier. The First National Bank of Herman received its National Bank Charter from The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury Department, on January 15, 1906.

On January 14, 1930, Jerome E. Peck became actively involved in working with his father in The First National Bank of Herman when he was elected as Assistant Cashier of the Bank. Jerome Peck remained an officer and stockholder until 1971 when the bank was sold to Russell D. Hepola. Russ Hepola served as President until 1991.

Jerry D. Bryson and Kenneth H. Werk came to The First National Bank of Herman as officers and stockholders in 1979 and 1980, respectively. Both have served in an administrative capacity since that time, and remain as owners and Co-CEOs today.