National Bank Celebrates 120th Anniversary; Mayor Rordam Recognizes Milestone

James G. Rakes, Chairman, President and CEO of National Bank, is pleased to announce an anniversary celebration commemorating 120 years of community banking service. On Friday, May 20, customers are invited to visit any National Bank Office to enjoy refreshments and help celebrate the bank’s birthday. The bank’s Hubbard Street Office and Main Office will showcase displays of the bank’s historical documents from May 16 through May 20.

	Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam (seated, left) signs a proclamation recognizing National Bank's 120th anniversary accompanied by James G. Rakes, Chairman, President & CEO, National Bank.

On Tuesday, May 10, Ron Rordam, Mayor of the Town of Blacksburg (pictured seated on left), signed a proclamation congratulating the bank on its 120th anniversary. “We feel very fortunate to have a true community bank headquartered in our Town,” said Mayor Rordam. The proclamation acknowledges National Bank’s establishment as the Bank of Blacksburg on May 21, 1891 and recognizes the bank as a model corporate citizen, contributing to the growth and prosperity of the Town for the past 120 years.

National Bank is the oldest bank in the New River Valley, and is the ninth oldest in Virginia. The bank has grown steadily since 1891, when it began operation from one room of the Green Hotel in Blacksburg. Today the National Bank serves a large area of southwestern Virginia with 25 offices and over $1 billion in assets. “Through the years, we’ve grown steadily to help meet our customers’ changing financial needs. But we haven’t lost the personal touch that is the heart of community banking,” said Rakes. “ I believe that a commitment to customers has helped us reach this historic milestone.”

National Bank is a subsidiary of National Bankshares, Inc., a Blacksburg-based financial holding company. National Bankshares, Inc. also operates National Bankshares Financial Services, Inc., which does business as National Bankshares Insurance Services and National Bankshares Investment Services.