There’s something about living on the South Dakota prairie that makes a person want to put down roots and build something that lasts.

1888

We’ve come a long way since 1888.

The town of Alpena, SD, was just 5 years old. And though it had just a few dirt roads, it was growing quickly. L.N. Loomis envisioned a place where people could safely keep their hard-earned money and established the Bank of Alpena as a private institution. A few years later, D.C. Wallace and H.S. Royer joined Mr. Loomis with $6,000 in capital stock being issued. The bank was officially chartered on January 8, 1892.

The bank was located in a small building just west of the Odd Fellows Hall and remained there until 1902 when they built a new building across the street. $6,000 of additional capital stock was issued and O.L. Brauson was appointed President and D.C. Wallace as cashier.

1926

In 1926, on the verge of the Dirty Thirties, the stockholders were forced to close the bank due to a sad turn of events and in an effort to avoid serious disaster. They reorganized just four months later in February 1927. J.E. Schull served as president and the bank continued to gain customers and capital through the forties and fifties. The Presidency was passed from Mr. Schull to Robert S. Cook to Charles Brammer to Howard H. Peters.

1962

In 1962, Howard H. Peters decided to build a branch in Wolsey, SD, and in 1964 the parent bank was moved to
Wessington Springs, SD, making a total of three locations. The name of the bank was changed to American State Bank.

1972

In 1972, Leland (Eleanore) Steele and his son Jack (Donna) Steele of Huron, SD, purchased American State Bank. Leland had worked for the state taxation department in Pierre and then Farmers and Merchants Bank in Huron. Jack worked at an accounting firm in Sioux City, IA, and in Huron before joining Farmers and Merchants Bank. Both had great financial minds, and a strong sense of what the bank’s key values should be.

The team at American Bank & Trust still strongly believes and follows these values today.

Leland and Jack worked diligently on the strategy and direction of the bank until the unfortunate death
of Leland in April 1980.

1993

In 1993, Jack made the decision to purchase Farmers State Bank in Mellette, SD, which became the fourth location. A new building was erected on Main Street in Mellette and opened for business in April 1998. That same year, Preston Steele, Jack’s son, joined American State Bank and worked at the Wolsey branch as a loan officer.

In the spring of 2017 Jack Steele stepped back and Preston became Chairman of the bank’s Board of Directors. Jack served as the Chairman for 35 years. Jack now serves as Secretary of the Board.

2000

In June 2000, Hand County State Bank in Miller, SD, was purchased and was added to the operation. During this same time frame, a new bank building was completed in Wessington Springs.

2002

In the spring of 2002, Lynn Schneider joined the bank as President/CEO. Growth was on the horizon again. A branch was added in Huron at the corner of 18th and Dakota Avenue in a remodeled Old Home bread building. Preston became Executive Vice President and moved to the Huron bank. A trust department and an investment brokerage operation were added. Finally, the name of the bank was changed to American Bank & Trust and a soaring eagle was incorporated into the bank’s logo.

2006

In July 2006, the bank opened a second location in Huron at Wal-Mart and a large expansion project at the main branch in Huron was completed in 2007.

The Steele family were majority stockholders in People’s State Bank in De Smet, SD, and People’s was merged into American Bank & Trust in October 2011. Three years later, a merger was also completed with American State Bank in Pierre. American Bank & Trust now had nine locations across eastern South Dakota.

2016

In 2016, longtime banker Jeff (Linda) Erickson became part owners of the bank.

As Sioux Falls, SD, continued to experience a boom in population and building permits, executive management within the bank saw a great opportunity to expand again. In February 2016, the bank opened a location in south central Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls and surrounding communities welcomed the friendly and fresh approach from the team of bankers at American Bank & Trust.

2017

In the Spring of 2017, a second location of American Bank & Trust was opened in Sioux Falls. The branch is located in the River Centre building, which is in the northeast portion of the downtown area. The branch in south central Sioux Falls was also moved to the corner of 41st & Sycamore.

2018

In January 2018, Lynn Schneider retired and Doug Tribble was appointed President and CEO. Doug started at AB&T in January 2016.

He was the Chief Operating Officer and Sioux Falls Market President before becoming President and CEO.

In July 2018, the bank purchased Farmers State Bank, with locations in Stickney, Iroquois, and Carthage.

2020

In the Fall we opened a third location in Sioux Falls at the corner of South Minnesota Avenue and 77th Street, in the rapidly growing business district around 85th Street in southern Sioux Falls. This site is recognized as the Grand Prairie location.

2021

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, American Bank & Trust remained strong and committed.  In January, the bank continued to grow and opened a location in Watertown right along US Highway 81.

2022

In August 2022, American Bank & Trust expanded its reach to Aberdeen, SD with the opening of a brand new branch in August 2022.

2023

In July 2023, American Bank & Trust and Valley Exchange Bank (VEB) have joined forces to become one financial institution under the American Bank & Trust name. This merger brings two additional branch locations, including one in Tea and one in Lennox.

2024

The year 2024 was the dawning of a new era for American Bank & Trust with Scott Erickson being promoted to CEO & President of AB&T. Scott is the son of partial bank owners, Jeff & Linda Erickson, and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the finance industry. The future of AB&T looks bright with Scott poised to lead the bank into it’s next phase of growth & prosperity in an ever-evolving banking landscape.

In 2024, American Bank & Trust proudly announced the opening of its newest branch location in Lisbon, ND. The new branch proudly displays the bank’s commitment to accessibility, personalized services, and growth into a new state. This brings number of AB&T branches to 19 total throughout South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota.

Today

The Bank is now over $1.7 billion in assets and has branches in 19 communities throughout South Dakota, North Dakota, & Minnesota. We continue to offer robust banking and trust services, complimented with the most recent modern technology, delivered by the finest personnel in banking.

We deploy all these resources for a simple, single purpose: to deliver creative freedom to customers who put their trust in us.

The freedom to create is what we stand for in the culture we’ve developed and in the relationships we’ve built over generations. American Bank & Trust is committed to being a bank that energizes the imagination, empowers real people’s aspirations, and thrives on solving interesting challenges.

We invite you to be part of the next chapter in our history.