I n 1934 Hills Savings Bank reorganized under the new name of Hills Bank and Trust Company. The name change more accurately reflected the services that the bank offered. At that time the total capital of the bank was $30,000. The success of the bank, which grew after the Great Depression, is generally credited to Albert Droll. The bank was truly the “bank of the people.” Albert initiated the culture and many of the traditions still practiced today, such as placing rocking horses in the lobbies and sending birthday, get-well, and sympathy cards to customers.
Craig Michel rides a rocking horse that sat in the bank lobby. A rocking horse was added in the 1950s to encourage the whole family to be part of the bank visit.
The new 1952 bank lobby was affectionately referred to as “the linoleum and formica look,” with a more open and friendly feel. (Left to right: Janet Falls, Charlene Draker, Nancy Falls, Margaret Stock, Helen Debrie, Eileen Yotty.)
The bank expanded in 1952, when a new one-story building was built east of the existing building. The new building’s construction was touted as being “modernistic”; the lobby foyer and offices were “cocoa-brown and empire green” in color, according to a news report of the day. The goal in doing this was to help take the intimidation out of banking so that customers would feel at ease when they walked through the front doors. During that time, the town of Hills boasted a population of 211 and the total resources of the bank were $3,132,200 —“the largest per capita resources of any bank in an Iowa community” as stated in an Iowa City Press-Citizen article, June 1952.
The original Hills Savings Bank charter, dated June 21, 1904.
A new charter was drawn on August 11, 1934 certifying the bank to change its name to Hills Bank and Trust Company.
1949-1965 Leroy S. Mercer serves as president. 1949-1967
1942 The bank is remodeled to create a more friendly atmosphere.
1952 A new, one-story bank building is constructed to the east of the original building.
J. E. Pechman serves as chairman of the board.
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