First National consolidating charters

First National Bank of Nebraska, the parent company of First National Bank of Omaha, announced last week that the six charters owned by the company will be merged in to one charter later this spring. First National Bank of North Platte, including its Chadron branch, is included in that list.

“As one organization, instead of six, we can leverage the tradition of success that began 157 years ago in Omaha, offering all customers under the First National Bank brand better access to new products, customer service innovation and a banking experience more reflective of the changing needs and lifestyles of our customers,” said Dan O’Neill, president of First National, in a press release.

The merge in to one charter will include all of the company’s Nebraska and South Dakota banking affiliates, including First National Bank of Omaha, First National Bank of Columbus, First National Bank North Platte, First national Bank South Dakota, Fremont National Bank and Trust Company and Platte Valley State Bank.

First National Bank of Omaha was founded by Herman and Augustus Kountze and over the years, the family has purchased charters to various banks and brought them in to the First National family, said Greg Wilke, president of First National Bank North Platte. Combining everything in to one charter will eliminate some of the duplication of efforts associated with maintaining separate charters and will expand access for customers across the brand, he said.

Some of the banks in the chain will undergo branding changes, and once the process is complete, all First National customers will be able to access their accounts at any branch. Wilke expects the process to be completed by the end of March.

“This change is about investing more in our local communities,” O’Neill said. “Accordingly, customers will still be served by the same employees they have come to know and trust over the years, lending decisions will still be made locally and current leadership and advisory boards will remain involved.”

First National of Nebraska is the largest privately owned banking company in the U.S. with $17 billion in assets.