Question 1

What is Bank of Stockton?

Accepted Answer

Bank of Stockton is a community bank headquartered in Stockton, California, and one of the largest community banks in San Joaquin County. With over 150 years of banking experience and approximately $4.7 billion in assets, the bank operates 21 branches across 16 cities in nine contiguous counties throughout Northern California.

Bank of Stockton is distinguished as California's oldest bank still operating under its original charter. The bank specializes in providing personalized banking services to individuals and businesses throughout the Central Valley and Northern California region.

Question 2

When was Bank of Stockton founded?

Accepted Answer

Bank of Stockton was founded on August 12, 1867, just two years after the end of the Civil War. Originally incorporated as the Stockton Savings and Loan Society, the bank was established by a group of 29 self-made businessmen and community leaders who met at the office of the Union Copper Mining Company in Stockton.

The founders pledged to raise $100,000 in U.S. gold coins to start the bank, aiming to provide order and financial strength to the people of Stockton during a time when banks were closing at an alarming rate due to post-Civil War instability. J.M. Kelsey, who was then the San Joaquin County Treasurer and Tax Collector, was elected as the first president. James Littlehale served as the bank's first cashier.

The bank demonstrated remarkable faith in the community by making its first loan of $1,000 to J.A. Walker before receiving its first deposit. The following day, the first commercial deposit was made by Jones, Hewlett & Sons. Within the first 24 days of operation, the bank had accumulated $100,000 worth of business.

Question 3

Where is Bank of Stockton headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Bank of Stockton is headquartered at 301 East Miner Avenue, Stockton, California 95202. The current headquarters building was completed in 1960 on the corner of Miner Avenue and San Joaquin Streets, where the steeple of the Central Methodist Church had previously been a Stockton landmark.

The headquarters location was hailed as "the most modern banking facility in the state" when it opened, attracting thousands of visitors. This building replaced the bank's previous location, known as "Stockton's First Skyscraper," which was constructed in 1906 on the northeast corner of Main and San Joaquin Streets.

Question 4

Where does Bank of Stockton operate?

Accepted Answer

Bank of Stockton operates 21 branches across 16 cities spanning nine contiguous counties in Northern California. The bank's service area includes San Joaquin County, Stanislaus County, Calaveras County, Solano County, Sacramento County, Amador County, Contra Costa County, Napa County, and Tuolumne County.

Specific cities served include Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, Tracy, Modesto, Turlock, Oakdale, Ripon, Angels Camp, Rio Vista, Sonora, Pine Grove, Elk Grove, Brentwood, Napa, Fairfield, and Dixon. The bank also maintains a branch at the University of the Pacific Student Center in Stockton, serving the university community.

Question 5

What services does Bank of Stockton offer?

Accepted Answer

Bank of Stockton provides comprehensive banking services for both personal and business customers. Personal banking services include checking and savings accounts, debit cards with MasterCard functionality, overdraft protection through Reserve Cash Accounts or linked deposit accounts, and various loan products including mortgages, auto loans, and consumer loans.

Digital banking services feature a mobile banking app with mobile deposit, fund transfers, bill pay, person-to-person payments through Zelle, and mobile alerts for security and transaction monitoring. The bank also offers CardValet, a mobile app that allows customers to turn their debit cards on or off for enhanced fraud protection. Online banking includes electronic statements, check images, and 24/7 account access through Access 24 telephone banking.

Business banking services include commercial lending, cash management services with remote deposit, ACH origination, merchant processing services, and specialized business accounts. Bank of Stockton became the first community bank west of the Mississippi to offer internet banking in 1995, demonstrating its commitment to technological innovation while maintaining personalized service.

Question 6

What makes Bank of Stockton unique?

Accepted Answer

Bank of Stockton's distinction as California's oldest bank still operating under its original charter sets it apart from other financial institutions. The bank has survived 158 years of economic challenges, including panics, recessions, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and numerous cyclical downturns, demonstrating remarkable strength and stability.

The bank pioneered several banking innovations in California. In 1993, it became the first bank on the west coast to introduce the Image Check System, which replaced cancelled checks with reduced images. In 1995, Bank of Stockton became the first community bank west of the Mississippi to offer internet banking and launch a bank website.

The bank maintains a strong commitment to community involvement, with employees actively volunteering throughout the communities it serves. Bank of Stockton's lending decisions are made locally, allowing for nimble and creative financing solutions tailored to customer needs. The bank emphasizes that while technology has advanced significantly since 1867, its tradition of personalized service, strength, and commitment to the communities it serves have remained constant.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Bank of Stockton?

Accepted Answer

Bank of Stockton is a community bank chartered under California state banking laws. As a community bank, it focuses on serving the specific needs of individuals and businesses within its local markets rather than operating on a national scale.

Community banks like Bank of Stockton are characterized by local decision-making, personalized customer service, and deep involvement in the communities they serve. The bank's leadership and employees live and work in the same communities as their customers, fostering strong relationships and accountability. This structure allows Bank of Stockton to be more responsive to local economic conditions and customer needs compared to larger regional or national banks.

Question 8

How has Bank of Stockton grown over its history?

Accepted Answer

Bank of Stockton's growth strategy has been characterized by slow, cautious expansion—a tradition maintained throughout its 158-year history. The bank remained in its original Stockton location for over 100 years before opening its first branch office, Carson Oaks, in 1970 on land purchased from the daughter of one of the bank's original depositors.

The 1980s marked significant expansion with the acquisition of Mid-Cal National Bank, which added four locations in Lodi, Tracy, Manteca, and Pine Grove. In 1990, the bank acquired deposits from Royal Oaks Savings and Loan, creating a Ripon branch. The bank reached a major milestone in May 1999, becoming the first community bank headquartered in the Central Valley to exceed $1 billion in assets.

In 2003, Bank of Stockton acquired Modesto Commerce Bank and Turlock Commerce Bank, adding over $330 million in assets and expanding into Stanislaus County. The bank continued growing through strategic acquisitions, including three Bank of America branches in 1997 and three First Bank branches in 2015 (Brentwood, Napa, and Fairfield), which increased assets to $2.4 billion. As of 2022, the bank holds approximately $4.7 billion in assets.

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About Bank of Stockton in the United States