1921 A lbert Droll was hired as a teller in 1921 and officially became president in 1965. Albert believed banking was a people business and was known for saying, “Business is done with a handshake and a smile.” Approximately 25 years after the bank’s doors opened, the Great Depression struck causing 600 banks in Iowa to fail. Among those to close were all five banks in Iowa City. This was a defining time and turning point for the small Hills Savings Bank in Hills, whose doors remained open through the Great Depression.
“ Business is done with a handshake and a smile.”
- Albert F. Droll, President 1965-1975 Employed at Hills Bank 1921-1975
In the 1930s Albert made many character loans to individuals and small businesses whose money was tied up or lost in area banks. Albert would give customers blank notes, telling them when they needed money they could fill in the amount, send it to him and he would deposit the funds into their account. This service built a core base of extremely loyal customers.
The Cyril Rohret family “Cyril and Sara Rohret of rural Oxford began banking with Hills Bank in 1933. Times were tough then. Hogs sold for 2-1/2 cents per pound and corn was 10 cents a bushel. Cyril’s property tax was due and he rounded up all of his hogs and sent them to the Chicago Livestock Yard. When he received the check there was only enough to pay half of the property taxes. Cyril went to Hills Bank. At that time, Hills was the only bank that would lend to farmers. On a handshake, Albert Droll loaned Cyril the money he needed. “The vision to believe in people is still alive at Hills Bank. At last count that one handshake has led to over 50 descendants of Cyril Rohret doing business with Hills Bank—helping Hills Bank to grow and prosper. The Rohret family would like to thank Hills Bank for believing in their potential.” -Earlis and Lucy Rohret, son and daughter-in law of Cyril and Sara Rohret
Many of these families remain customers of Hills Bank today.
1930-1949 J. E. Pechman serves as president.
1934 Hills Savings Bank reorganizes and becomes Hills Bank and Trust Company.
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