Question 1

What is The First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown (The First)?

Accepted Answer

The First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown, commonly known as "The First," is a national bank headquartered in Newtown, Pennsylvania, serving Bucks County and surrounding areas. With approximately $1.14 billion in total assets and 14 branch locations, The First is Bucks County's oldest and most established bank.

The First has remained independent for over 160 years, maintaining its commitment to community banking principles while providing comprehensive personal banking, business banking, home lending, and wealth management services. The bank distinguishes itself through local ownership, conservative management, and consistent reinvestment of deposits in local communities.

Question 2

When was The First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown founded?

Accepted Answer

The First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown was founded in 1864 during the American Civil War. A handful of visionary business leaders decided to establish a bank to serve Newtown, Pennsylvania and the surrounding Bucks County communities.

The bank began operations in a room within the Paxson-Croasdale Building at 2-4 South State Street. By spring 1868, the bank purchased property from the county and moved into the County Clerk's Office building. In 1884, following steady growth, the bank constructed a brownstone building at 40 South State Street.

In 1928, the bank undertook a remarkable construction project, building a new brick building around the original brownstone structure to ensure uninterrupted business operations. That same year, the bank erected its landmark clock featuring four dials and Westminster chimes that ring every quarter hour—a symbol of gratitude to the community that still operates today.

The Trust and Wealth Management division was established in 1928. In 1957, the bank underwent extensive modernization, adding a rear addition and drive-in service window.

Throughout its 160-year history, The First has never changed its name, never merged with another institution, and has remained steadfast in serving Bucks County through the Great Depression, two World Wars, recessions, and pandemics.

Question 3

Where is The First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown headquartered?

Accepted Answer

The First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown is headquartered at 40 South State Street in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Newtown is located in Bucks County, approximately 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia in the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania.

The historic headquarters building, constructed in 1928 around the original 1884 brownstone structure, remains a landmark in downtown Newtown, complete with its iconic clock tower that has been a community fixture since 1928.

Question 4

Where does The First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown operate?

Accepted Answer

The First operates 14 branch locations throughout Bucks County, Pennsylvania, strategically positioned to serve communities across the county. Branch locations include Newtown (headquarters), Yardley Road, Langhorne, Doylestown, Jamison, Levittown, Warminster, Wrightstown, Washington Crossing, Richboro, Fairless Hills, and Solebury.

The bank's footprint covers the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metropolitan statistical area, with concentrated presence in Bucks County communities. This extensive local network allows The First to serve both established neighborhoods and growing suburban areas while maintaining its community banking focus.

Question 5

What services does The First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown offer?

Accepted Answer

The First offers a comprehensive suite of financial services designed to meet the needs of individuals, families, and businesses throughout Bucks County.

Personal Banking: Personal checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, personal loans, credit cards, and consumer financing products tailored to individual financial goals.

Home Loans: Residential mortgages for home purchases, refinancing, renovation financing, construction loans, home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, and specialized mortgage programs for various buyer situations.

Business Banking: Business checking and savings accounts, commercial loans, commercial real estate financing, lines of credit, equipment financing, merchant services, cash management solutions, and treasury management services designed to help businesses operate and grow.

Wealth Management: The First's Wealth Management Group offers investment advisory services, retirement planning, estate planning, trust services, portfolio management, and comprehensive financial planning for individuals, families, and nonprofits. The wealth management division has operated since 1928, providing multi-generational planning expertise.

Digital Banking: Online banking platforms, mobile banking apps with remote deposit capture, bill pay services, account alerts, and digital money management tools providing 24/7 access to banking services.

Question 6

What makes The First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown unique?

Accepted Answer

The First distinguishes itself through several remarkable characteristics that reflect its heritage and values.

160 Years of Independence: The First is Bucks County's oldest bank, founded in 1864, and has never changed its name or merged with another institution. This unbroken independence is extraordinarily rare in American banking and demonstrates consistent, conservative management through generations of leadership.

Local Ownership and Commitment: The First remains locally owned and operated, with all deposits reinvested directly in Bucks County through local mortgages, business loans, and community financing. The bank's independence ensures local decision-making and accountability to the communities it serves.

Financial Strength and Safety: The First consistently earns ratings placing it among the safest banks in the nation. With strong capital ratios, conservative lending practices, and prudent risk management, the bank has successfully navigated every major economic crisis since the Civil War. These safety ratings provide customers with confidence that their deposits are secure.

Community Engagement: The First demonstrates deep commitment to Bucks County through corporate philanthropy, employee volunteerism, and support for hundreds of local nonprofit organizations. Bank employees serve on community boards, mentor young leaders, and actively participate in making Bucks County thrive.

Multi-Generational Relationships: The First serves customers "measured in generations," maintaining banking relationships with families across multiple generations. This continuity creates deep trust and understanding of customer needs over time.

Award Recognition: The First has been named "Best Bank in Bucks County" and receives consistent recognition for its service quality, financial strength, and community commitment.

Historic Landmark: The bank's 1928 headquarters building with its iconic clock tower serves as a cherished Bucks County landmark, symbolizing stability and permanence in the community.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is The First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown?

Accepted Answer

The First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown is a national bank chartered under federal banking regulations, with FDIC insurance (Certificate #7658). The bank operates under the supervision of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and is a member of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve District 3).

As a national bank, The First operates under a federal charter that permits nationwide banking activities, though the institution maintains its focus on serving Bucks County and the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The national charter provides regulatory oversight from the OCC, one of the primary federal banking regulators.

Despite its national charter, The First operates with a community banking philosophy, emphasizing local relationships, personalized service, and reinvestment in local communities. This combination of federal charter authority with community banking values allows The First to offer the safety and capabilities of a nationally chartered institution while maintaining the responsive, relationship-focused service of a community bank.

The bank's trust powers, established in 1928, allow it to serve as a fiduciary for estate planning, trust administration, and wealth management services—capabilities that distinguish it from many community banks.

The First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown (The First)

in the United States 🇺🇸

Crypto-Friendliness

All done!

About The First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown (The First) in the United States