1922
April 29 – The bank organized and opened for business in its temporary quarters, a small space at 606 Kansas Avenue. Earlier in 1922, Fidelity obtained 600 S. Kansas Avenue and started new construction on the bank building. Fidelity Savings State Bank moved to temporary quarters at 610 Kansas Avenue until the new bank was completed in 1923.
The bank’s location at 600 S. Kansas Avenue was the site of the first State Capital of Kansas in 1861.
The first governor of Kansas, Charles Robinson, had his executive offices in the three-story brick building at the location and the Legislature met there from 1861 through 1863. A spectacular fire on the night of Nov. 28, 1869, destroyed the building in what was then known as the Ritchie Block. The state lost volumes of legal papers. A rain and efforts of a bucket brigade were all that saved the building to the north. Fidelity Savings State Bank acquired the site in 1922 and built the structure that housed the bank until it was razed to make way for the new building in 1967.
The bank remodeled during the Gangster Era, when John Dillinger and other bank robbers terrorized the country. The protective features included heavy bullet proof glass, electrically charged wires and a spiked rail behind which officer and tellers would work.
The bank becomes a charter member of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
1941
Fidelity Bank sells its first US Savings Bond.
1947
April 29 – The bank celebrates 25 years and has the distinction of being the only bank in Topeka which has operated continuously during that time under the same name and the same president.
In 1947, Fidelity Savings State Bank was the city’s largest state bank. The first officers were J.H. Collingwood, president; Matt Weightman Jr., vice-president; and Russell E. Frost, cashier.
1958
February 12 – J.H. Collingswood, bank founder, announced that Anderson Chandler was elected executive vice-president and director the Topeka bank, and the sale of a substantial interest in the bank to the Chandler family. Anderson’s father started banking in Kansas in 1883. The Chandler family was connected with over fifty Kansas banks since then. Anderson Chandler served as executive vice president from 1958-1961.
1961
January 2 – Anderson Chandler elected Chairman and President. Anderson Chandler, member of a prominent Kansas banking family was elected president of Fidelity Savings State Bank of Topeka at the annual meeting. He had been executive vice-president since joining the institution on May 1, 1958. Mr. Chandler succeeded J.H. Collingwood the bank’s founder, who remained a director with an office at the bank. At the age of 34 “Andy” Chandler was the youngest president of a Topeka bank.
Anderson Chandler announced plans for extensive remodeling with no interruption of services. The first phase to include modern low dividers, new acoustical tile ceiling, fluorescent lights, new desks, new chairs and drapery and a new air conditioning system. Teller Stations to include four paying and receiving tellers and an installment loan teller. The 2nd phase expansion to include remodeling of the bank’s 2nd floor so it could be used for the bookkeeping and transit departments. New features to include adding an employee lounge and a director’s room.
The bank held an open house on April 29, 1961, for the completed, newly remodeled banking quarters.
1962
January 2 – the bank changes its name from Fidelity Saving State Bank of Topeka to Fidelity State Bank and Trust Company.
Fidelity bank expands its parking lot at 109 and 113 East 6th Avenue adjoining the main bank. The expansion was on land formerly occupied by Flamingo Bar and Grill and the Marsh Bookstore and the former 6th Avenue Hotel. Parking capacity expands from 24 to 39 cars, and a 2nd entrance added from 6th Avenue so that cars may enter and exit from 6th Avenue.
1964
The bank opens Fidelity Garden Bank at 901 Topeka Blvd., a motor bank with drive up windows and teller stations inside. The site was previously a parking lot owned by the First Presbyterian Church of Topeka. The name Garden Bank was derived from the extensive landscaping planned for the grounds. The law passed in 1957 restricted banks to one detached facility within the corporate limits of a city and required that the facility be within 2,600 ft. (about 6 blocks) of the main bank. The Garden Bank was within the 2,600 ft. limitation. It featured a full basement and lobby windows, similar to the Main Bank, with no glass or obstruction between the customer and the teller.
1966
Anderson Chandler, Chairman and President of Fidelity State Bank, announces plans for a big expansion. Construction of a new bank building more than 10 times the size of the present building to be built on the same property at 600 S. Kansas Avenue. The bank had just finished acquiring the necessary land for the project consisting of 125 feet on Kansas Avenue running south from 6th Avenue. This included the following street addresses: 600 S. Kansas Ave. 602: the Fashion Wig Company, 604: Public Finance Company, 606: Owens Optical Company, and 608: formerly occupied by Western Auto Supply Co.
“This is one of the largest Kansas Avenue frontages in downtown Topeka owned by any business”, Chandler said.
The bank moved to temporary headquarters across the street to the North in the former Capitol Federal building on Oct. 1 to allow razing the building for new construction. The construction cost was estimated to exceed $500,000. At the time Fidelity State Bank & Trust Co. was the largest state-chartered bank in Topeka, and the 3rd largest of the 10 commercial banks in the city.
Cranes tear down the original bank building in preparation for the new building
1967
January 12 – a ground-breaking ceremony was held for the new construction. Governor Robert Docking turned the first shovel of earth at the ground-breaking ceremony. The new bank would have two stories, and a basement and constructed in such a way that additional stories may be added.
Monday, October 30 – the new bank building opens its doors. Some of the features of the new bank building included a switchboard at the back of the lobby where the operator could see into glass fronted office and inform a caller when an officer was available without having to ring the office. A heated and air-conditioned vault with an emergency ventilator, in case someone should happen to get locked in. In the event of an attempted break-in a microphone would pick up vibrations and send them to the police station.
Following are selections of construction photos of 600 S. Kansas Avenue
Fidelity State Bank & Trust Company
Workmen getting ready to encase the big steel vault at the Fidelity State Bank building in 18 inches of reinforced concrete. The vault is 28 by 26 feet and has a steel lining one-half inch thick. It has the highest rating given by the National Vault Underwriters, Anderson Chandler, president, said. The vault in the new bank building at 6th and Kansas Avenue is four times as large as the vault in the bank’s old building.
November 13 1967 – a press party was held in conjunction with the new building with the unveiling of a sculpture of birds in flight, symbolizing the open space of the prairies and the motion of the wind. The sculptor by Elden Tefft, professor of art at KU, featured six ceramic birds rising from a four-foot walnut column in a walnut planter base.
The Santa Fe band performed in front of the building. Afterwards Governor Robert B. Docking unveiled a plaque which set forth the history of the site and mayor Charles W. Wright cut a ribbon to officially open the bank after a 10-month construction period.
The bank moves back into the new building at 600 S. Kansas Avenue with Drive-up and Walk-up Windows.
1972
Fidelity State Bank celebrates its 50 th Anniversary on April 29, 1972.
An open house for bankers was held during the Kansas Bankers Association convention in the lobby of the newly remodeled bank. Featured was a 1922 Model T touring car in the lobby of the main bank and a “Tin Lizzie” replica car in miniature in the motor bank. The latter which had a gasoline engine, could be driven. It was given away in a drawing on April 28. Also carrying out the 1922 theme, silver dollars minted in the year the bank opened for business were given to those opening new accounts. In addition, anyone going to either location was given silver dollar marigold seeds and silver maple trees.
The words Fidelity Bank are added to the roof top of 600 S. Kansas Avenue, so they are legible from the Topeka Town Club meetings on the 16th Floor of the 1st National Bank Building located to the Northwest. The five-foot tall metal letters “could be seen from a jet at 40,000 feet flying in the right direction”, Anderson Chandler happily reported.
1973
Saturday, October 27 – a new branch bank opens in a temporary building at the corner of 29th and Gage Blvd. This was the first authorized branch bank in Kansas, operating under the new law that went into effect July 1, 1973. Anderson Chandler announced that building construction would start after the first of the year and would be completed by the Fall of 1974. The new law allowed branch banks to be constructed further away from the Main bank than the previous restriction of 2600 ft. and branch banks could now have safety deposit boxes.
December 28 – The bank opens a new branch bank in its temporary quarters at the cross streets of Huntoon and Gage Blvd. Completion of the 4000 sq. Ft. building was scheduled for completion in early 1975. Access to the new constructed bank building has been planned to accommodate wheelchairs for the handicapped.
1975
April 14 – A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to open the new structure for Fidelity State Bank at Gage Center. The bank building includes two pneumatic tube drive-in lanes, provisions for two additional lanes, a large safe deposit vault, three inside teller windows, a private conference room and a large customer lobby.
1976
Fidelity Bank first offers ATM cards.
Fidelity State Bank is the first Kansas bank to have four locations.
Shortly after, Fidelity State Bank adopted a new logo featuring four stylized “F”s representing the four Fidelity Banks. The words “The Fidelity Banks” are added to the logo and bank name.
1983
January 12 – Anderson Chandler, president of the bank presents to Washburn University a sculpture valued at $20,000 and five imported lounge chairs valued at $650 each. The chairs were made in Brazil of native rosewood with down filled leather covered cushions. The chairs were of a design chosen by the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art to be included in its permanent collections of contemporary furniture. The sculpture of six birds in flight, designed by KU Professor of Art, Eldon C. Tefft, commissioned in 1967, will be on permanent display at White Concert Hall where the chairs will also be used.
1986
September 15 – Fidelity State Bank & Trust Company changes from the Topeka based Vantage Card for automatic teller machines to VIA card. The new card not only accesses the 13 VIA ATMs but also 12 ZIP ATMs. Kansas has a total of 117 VIA Plus ATMs. The Plus system operates in 47 of the 50 states and the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, and Puerto Rico. VIA cards were free to bank customers with checking or money market accounts.
1989
May 12 – Westridge Branch holds a ground-breaking ceremony. “Fidelity’s new Westridge Bank will be our fifth Topeka location designed to help the bank provide continued quality service to customers. Since the original charter in 1922, Topeka’s home-owned Fidelity State Bank & Trust Company has been a source of growth, strength, and stability to the Topeka community. Fidelity is building for the future from a foundation and tradition of providing Topeka with quality professional financial services, and we appreciate the opportunity to share our commitment and confidence in Topeka with you.”
From the announcement for the ground-breaking ceremony
November 30 – Grand opening at the Westridge Branch bank located at 21 st and Ashworth Place.
Ashworth Place was a new city street being constructed, with an expected opening date of December 1. Until then Drive-in access would be from West 21 st Street.
“The name Fidelity Westridge Bank implies it’s located in the center of the Westridge area, the fastest growing commercial area in Topeka. The bank is across the street north from Westridge Plaza Shopping Center and 1 block east of West Ridge Mall, the largest shopping mall in Kansas. The bank is located on a ¾ acre site with complete banking services including two drive-up window and night depository. The building has three lobby tellers, a safe deposit vault, a private office and conference room, and customer service officers in the lobby. A vice president commercial loan officer will supervise the bank and handle all loan functions including personal loans, commercial loans, real estate loans and other loans. The building is 2500 Square feet of 8” x 8” rust colored brick, accented by a row of 8” x 8” grey brick. A feature of the building is a clerestory admitting daylight to the lobby. The entire bank is carpeted with a multi-color cut-pile carpet, accenting the colors of the furnishings. A 40’ flagpole on the east side of the bank displays a large United States and Kansas Flags illuminated with flood lights. A large time and temperature sign at the corner of West 21 st Street and Ashworth Place marks the entrance to the bank.”
From a printed announcement produced for the Grand Opening
1993
Fidelity offered VISA check cards.
1994
A new branch bank opens inside the Dillon’s Grocery Store at 300 SW 29th Street and operated there until the Dillon’s Grocery store left that location.
Fidelity offers Xpress Phone Banking.
1996
Fidelity goes online with its initial website.
2001
Fidelity offers Internet Banking with Bill Pay and Overdraft Privilege.
A new website design replaces the initial website.
2002
Fidelity Bank offers Mortgage Loans and free Bill-Pay service.
2007
The Garden Bank at 901 Topeka Boulevard closes.
2008
Anderson Chandler celebrates 50 Years at the bank.
The Main Lobby is remodeled, and two new offices and a conference room are added.
2009
Fidelity offers Remote Deposit Capture for Commercial customers.
Fidelity offers eStatements for customers – electronic statements for email delivery.
Allan Towle is elected president of Fidelity State Bank & Trust Company.
2010
Fidelity upgrades to a new website and website design
2012
Fidelity offers Mobile Banking.
Fidelity stops selling US Savings bonds. Effective January 1, the Federal Reserve stopped selling US Savings Bonds through financial institutions instead they are sold digitally to citizens and businesses.
2014
Fidelity offers Mobile Banking Applications for Apple and Android devices.
Allan Towle elected CEO in addition to serving as the bank president.
2016
Fidelity offers Mobile Check Deposit for consumers. (Using Apple or Android operating systems)
2018
Anderson Chandler Celebrates 60 Years with the bank.
Allan Towle elected Chairman of the Board.
2020
Covid-19 world-wide pandemic, Fidelity Bank makes accommodations and temporary modifications to continue uninterrupted service to customers at all bank locations.
2021
Fidelity Bank partners with Evergy Plaza, which opened in 2021, providing VIP Parking for community events held at the Evergy Plaza located just south of the bank in downtown Topeka.
2022
The bank celebrates 100 YEARS – Empowering customers since 1922.
Fidelity Bank marks 100 Years with promotional recognition items, year-round billboard placement throughout the city, recognizing 100 YEARS in TV and Radio advertising, business magazine advertising and sponsoring community events including:
Music in the Park – First Friday in NOTO (North Topeka) on May 6 in conjunction with the employee family picnic.
Country Kickoff event on July 13, at the Evergy Plaza during Music Week, a celebration leading up to the Country Stampede event held over the weekend.
Lecture Series at Kansas University – reinstated after a two-year delay related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fidelity publishes a newly designed responsive website that adjust to the size of the viewer’s device. (Desktop computer, tablet computer or a cell phone)
100 Year History as of July 2022
Compiled by Irene Haws
Marketing and Events Coordinator, Fidelity State Bank & Trust Co.
Looking Forward
The Next 100 Years
Fidelity State Bank & Trust Company is here to serve our customers today and into the future. As advancements in technology continue to provide opportunities for consumer and business customers, Fidelity State Bank will be on the forefront of delivering that technology – Empowering customers into the next 100 years!