First United Bank is celebrating its 125th anniversary and proclamations were presented during the Durant City Council meeting last week and again Monday at the bank’s main branch in Durant.
First United Bank was chartered on Oct. 3, 1900, as Durant National Bank in Durant, Indian Territory. In 1963, it was renamed Durant Bank & Trust, and it was renamed First United Bank in 1998.
The late John Massey began his banking career in 1967, according to the bank’s website, and he became chairman of the board in 1974, and in 1986, he bought a controlling interest in the bank. His son, Greg Massey, joined the bank in 1990 and he became CEO in 2003.
Durant Mayor Martin Tucker spoke Monday morning before presenting a proclamation to Greg Massey. Oct. 2 was proclaimed First United Bank’s 125th anniversary day in the City of Durant.
Reading from the proclamation, Tucker said that over the past 125 years, First United has grown into a leading fi-nancial institution known for its unwavering commitment to service, integrity and community partnership.
“Whereas, First United Bank has consistently demonstrated values-driven leadership, empowering individuals and communities through financial stewardship and the guiding philosophy of Spend Life Wisely, and the bank’s legacy is reflected not only in its longevity but in the lives it has impacted, the dreams it has supported and the communities it has helped strengthen through intentional investment and heartfelt service, and whereas the City of Durant recognizes First United Bank as a cornerstone of our local identity, a model of purposedriven growth and a trusted partner in building a future rooted in generosity, accountability and shared success,” Tucker said.
Massey then spoke about the bank and he joked that he wasn’t here 125 years ago, so he was not for sure if it had really been 125 years.
“But it has been a long journey and it all started right here in Durant, Oklahoma,” Massey said. “It’s hard to believe, this building right here was built in 1987. I got here in 1990 and it was just a one campus and it was really just this first first floor and about half of the second floor.
“To watch the community grow and our company grow and be right here in Durant, it’s interesting. As we started growing into other communities, it was always a reflection of how do we build what we have right here in Durant, Oklahoma. Durant’s a great community, it’s a home. I always say great communities have great churches, great education, great financial institutions and great partnerships and that’s what Durant, Oklahoma, is about and I’m so proud to be part of this community and thank you guys for everything that everybody does. Mr. Mayor, thank you, sir. We appreciate your service and appreciate what you do for Durant, the Choctaw Nation and for First United Bank.”
According to the bank’s website, First United has 73 community banks and is the third largest bank in Oklahoma by assets and the 100th largest in the nation by assets.
