This history has been compiled from the commemorative anniversary booklets published in 1948 and 1998 to celebrate the 100th and 150th anniversaries of the bank. The inserts below in italics are verbatim from the 1948 booklet, and is included to give readers an idea of the changes in writing styles over the years.

In 1848, Talladega was a bustling young town, nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains of Alabama, near the highest point in the state of Alabama which would later become Cheaha State Park in the Talladega National Forest. The city was just entering her "teens", having been incorporated in 1835. At the time, there were approximately 1250 citizens in and around the city of Talladega. The entire county was settled with progressive people. All were rapidly building beautiful homes and tending farms.

'Tis true, transportation was a problem, but the Central Plank road, from Montgomery, was already under way, and a railroad was being discussed. The Stage Coach was now coming through regularly once a week, and mail was no longer a major problem. "Flush Days" were here indeed. Secession was frankly and heatedly discussed. Whigs and Democrats argued on every corner, and newspapers carried columns of articles, both for and against.

Major James Isbell felt that the town had grown enough to warrant the services of a bank, and decided to start a banking business under the name of James Isbell, Banker. The announcement that Major Isbell was opening a much needed banking business in Talladega was joyfully received by the citizens of the area. This action bespoke the faith and interest Major Isbell had in his country and state. Banks were few and far between in Alabama in the 1840's. He did not know it at the time, but Major Isbell would start what has later become the "oldest continuously operating bank in the state of Alabama".

Talladega was yet to enter the horrible experiences of war, the tragedy of defeat, and the depressing period of reconstruction. The Isbell Bank passed through these, and many other conflicts and depressions, but never once failed her patrons. When other banks merged, re-organized or failed, The Isbell Bank stood firm. It is today the oldest continuously operated banking business in Alabama.

As the son of Thomas Isbell and Discretion Howard, Major Isbell opened his business in the "Isbell's Brick Corner" building, located at the corner of North and East Streets. A "Counting Room" was set up in the back of the building to serve the banking needs of area residents. In 1850, Isbell's son, Captain Robert Houston Isbell, became actively connected with the firm, and the name was changed to that of Isbell & Son, Bankers. The banking operations remained there until 1869 when the construction of the "Old Bank" was completed in 1869.

The "Old Bank" as it is referred to today, was a beautiful terra cotta structure built just off the town square on East North Street, just a few yards from the bank's current location today. Used from 1869 until 1963, the "Old Bank" is one of only five such buildings with the terra cotta architecture that remain standing east of the Mississippi today.

Major James Isbell was born on September 12th, 1806, in Wilkes County, North Carolina. At the age of 25, he left North Carolina, settling in 1831 in Lowndesborough to begin his mercantile career. In 1833 Isbell married Rutelia Houston of Knoxville. They moved to Talladega in the spring of 1836 and settled near town on a farm on Andrew Jackson's old battleground close to what was called Isbell Mountain. A few years after starting the bank in Talladega, Major Isbell organized the City National Bank of Selma, AL. He relocated to Selma and served as President of that bank until his death on December 6th, 1871.

Shortly after the move to the "Old Bank" in 1869, Major Isbell organized the City National Bank of Selma, AL. He relocated to Selma and served as President of that bank until his death on December 6th, 1871.

Upon the death of Major Isbell, his son, Captain Isbell, became senior partner. The name of the bank was changed to Isbell & Company, Bankers. Around the same time, William Park Armstrong, son-in-law of James Isbell, joined the firm. The success of the banking house continued to flourish. The same methods and rules written by Major Isbell were adhered to by Robert Isbell and the firm continued its success with the same reputation, fidelity and skill for which the bank had become known. The success of the banking house continued "due to the faithfulness to business, and popularity at home and abroad" of Captain Isbell. On August 23, 1892, Captain Isbell passed away.

Under the terms of the will and co-partnership contract, the banking business of Isbell & Company was carried on under the direction of Captain W. P. Armstrong, sole executor of Captain Isbell's estate, and the surviving partner, Mr. R.L. Ivey.

On January 11, 1893, Isbell & Company, Bankers applied for and received a National Bank Charter. The bank received charter number 4838 and the name was changed to The Isbell National Bank of Talladega.

We find The Isbell National Bank celebrating her 100th Anniversary along with great national enterprises including The Pennsylvania Railroad Company, The International Harvester Company, and Robert Moore & Company, the oldest cotton brokers on the New York Cotton Exchange.

The year 1948 finds Talladega a well grown town, with population of approximately 16,000. Transportation is no longer a problem. Highways and railroads connect with once distant points. The valleys surrounding the area are ideal for cattle and agricultural pursuits. The forests are dense with timber; the mountains are stored with minerals. Because of the wonderful natural resources of the county's diversified industries, large and small factories have found favored locations in our midst. Today, as in 1848, finds Talladega in a period of "Flush Days".

In looking back over the century of The Isbell's existence, practically the whole of Talladega's history is revealed. Years of plenty and years of privation. Through the whole theme runs the golden thread of faith and service which makes The Isbell National Bank a landmark of integrity and endurance.

Over the next 70 years, the bank and the city continued to grow together. In 1963, the bank moved into a new location on East North Street, just a few doors down from the old Isbell Bank building.

The "Old Bank" building was completed in 1869 and used for almost a century. The building is located on E. North Street just a few yards from the bank's current building in Talladega. The building is one of many historic treasures in the area, being one of only five examples of terra cotta architecture that remain standing east of the Mississippi.

In December of 1969, a full service branch was opened in Lincoln, Alabama, just a few miles north of Talladega. In October of 1974, a drive-thru motor bank was built on the hill behind the building. The bank then expanded to the town of Munford, Alabama in July of 1988 with a full service branch to serve the community located north-east of the city.

In April of 1978 the bank changed its name again, from Isbell National Bank to The First National Bank of Talladega, to better reflect the area and citizens it serviced.

The biggest change to the bank in recent years came in 2004, when the Talladega office relocated from the building built in 1963 to a new 3 story state of the art building, just behind the 1963 structure. After the move, the '63 building and the '74 motor bank were both razed and all operations came under one building.

The newest building in Talladega was preceded by a new office in Lincoln in 2001. The new location was expanded with a larger drive-thru and lobby, and was designed to include a community room that is used regularly by a host of civic and other organizations in the Lincoln Area. In 2006, the Munford office was relocated about one mile north to a new building, with an expanded drive-thru and larger lobby that is often a meeting place for citizens throughout the Munford area.

To this day, the bank remains independently home owned and operated and proudly serves Talladega County as its primary trade area. By following the ideals and principals set down in 1848 by Major Isbell, the bank has grown to more than $350 million in assets and maintains high ratings by a number of independent bank rating firms.

Aside from serving the banking needs of its communities, FNB and its employees are actively involved in a number of fundraising efforts every year. Cash for the Classroom is a program started by employees of FNB to help local schools. Visit most Friday's and you may find the employees dressed a little more casual, or even holding a bake sale, for many of our adopted charities including Relay for Life, American Heart Association, Breast Cancer Awareness, ARC of Talladega, and a host of other local and nationwide charities. In addition, bank employees, from loan officers to tellers, serve on a variety of boards throughout the community.

A number of our employees are present or past officers of various civic and charitable organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Kiwanis, Rotary, Antique Talladega, Talladega Historic Society and many other local organizations.

Pictures from the archives of the First National Bank of Talladega

Window painting celebrating the 130th anniversary in 1978.

Bank draft (check) dating from the 1890's & a counterfeit $50 from the mid 1800's.

The "banking room" in the Isbell building, taken in the late 1940's, used until the 1960's.

The "old banking room" and employees of the bank. Date unknown.

Capt. William Park Armstrong, one of the early leaders of FNB.

The "new bank" used from the 1960's until 2004 & the "motor bank" that sat atop the hill behind the bank.