History of Northwest Bank & Trust Company

Investing in the Quad Cities Community

Since first opening, Northwest Bank & Trust Company has been a major contributor to the development of our community. Today, your hometown bank has the area’s longest continuous history of highly-trained, friendly professionals fulfilling its mission to create customer and shareholder value through product and service excellence.

Northwest Bank & Trust Company has deep roots in this community at a time when other banks, both local and regional, are just entering our market. People in and around the area have come to know us. They know who we are and what we stand for – honesty, integrity and confidentiality. Life really is easier and more secure when you bank at the area’s most reliable, flexible, responsive, and convenient provider of quality personal service.

Since 1941, there has been one constant – our belief that customers prefer fairly priced products and services that come from someone they know and trust. This is our past. It is also our future. Thank you for being a part of both.

A long history of local, honest, and reliable banking.

1941
Northwest Bank & Trust Company opens its doors
Northwest Bank original location

On July 7, 1941, with only three employees, Northwest Bank & Trust Company opened its doors for business at 1529 Washington Street, Davenport, Iowa, in the heart of “Germantown.” 

1950s/1960s

1953
Opening on Locust Street
West Locust and Washington

In 1953, the Bank moved down the street to 1454 West Locust Street. The original drive-up facility on Locust Street was then opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in 1960. The main Locust Street facility was modernized and expanded to twice its original size later this decade.

1st Generation family leadership joins the bank alongside bank investment
1968
Motor Bank opens at 38th and Brady Streets
38th and Brady Northwest Bank

In 1968, Northwest Bank established a motor bank at 38th and Brady Streets to service Davenport’s fast growing commercial area north of Duck Creek. The facility was so well received that the bank outgrew the location and in 1974 moved to the nine-story Northwest Bank Tower at NorthPark.

1969
Trust Department is established at Northwest Bank

In 1969, the bank’s trust department, now known as the Investment Management Group, was founded.

1970s

2nd Generation family leadership joins the bank
1974
Northwest Bank Tower opens
Northwest Bank 1972 Newspaper Article

Northwest Bank Tower at NorthPark opened in 1974, accommodating a growing bank team. Over time, the tower building has become home to a vast array of small businesses.

1976
Employee Stock Ownership Plan implemented

In 1976, the Northwest Bank formed its Employee Stock Ownership Plan, giving employees of the bank minority ownership – a defining moment to this day.

1980s

1981
The Quad Cities’ first drive-up ATM

In early 1981, Northwest Bank opened for business in the Bettendorf market. It featured the first drive-up Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) in the Quad Cities area.

1982
Expanding downtown
2nd and Brady Northwest Bank

In 1982, a 6-story office building at the corner of Second and Brady Streets in downtown Davenport was opened. At the time, this building was the first major office building constructed in downtown Davenport in over 50 years. With the arrival of the farm crises, downtown Davenport began to struggle. Northwest Bank maintained its commitment to the downtown community despite the financial burden of maintaining its location. The bank’s commitment remains strong, with a new tenant moving into the building in 2006.

1988
The 3rd Generation of family leadership joins Northwest Bank & Trust Company

1990s

1996
Entering the software business with Bank Sweep Manager®

In 1996, Northwest Bank entered the software business with Bank Sweep Manager®. Bank Sweep Manager is used in the bank to this day – and has served over 500 community bank and credit union clients throughout the nation.

2000s

2003
A new full-service facility is built on West Locust Street
Northwest Bank West Davenport

In 2003, the 50-year-old bank building on West Locust Street and its neighboring drive-up facility were razed and the current full-service facility was built on the same site.

2010s

2016
The bank celebrates its 75th anniversary while welcoming in the 4th generation of family leadership
2019
Northwest Bank adds tax and accounting services with new acquisition

In 2019, one of the bank’s long-time partners for trust and estate tax returns and planning, Blair, Westfall & Co., officially became a part of Northwest Bank & Trust Company. The acquisition ensured the continuation of access to local tax experts, payroll and bookkeeping offerings, and reflected the bank’s interest in expanding its financial services for the community.

2020

2020
Launch of Centennial Tax & Accounting
centennial Tax and accounting

Northwest Bank & Trust Company adds the leading local tax and accounting firm, Pyle Scott & Associates, and three additional practitioner-led firms to Blair, Westfall & Co. The firms combine to form Centennial Tax & Accounting – recognizing its commitment to connect clients to opportunities through our growing expertise and service capabilities.