History

The progressive growth of Central National Bank is clearly evidenced by both its history and the Bank's position as one of the leading financial institutions in Southeastern Oklahoma.  The Bank was chartered March 7, 1901 as The Bank of Poteau. The new bank was capitalized with $25,000 and showed a $4,698 profit for the first full year of operations.  In 1902, the name was changed to The National Bank of Poteau and the first building was constructed at the corner of McKenna and Dewey.  Ed McKenna Served as the bank’s first President from 1901-1913.

Salary for the Cashier (bank manager) in 1902 was $85 per month. A bookkeeper's salary in 1904 was $25 per month.  In 1919, the Bank's name was changed to Central State Bank and finally in 1922 the institution became Central National Bank.

The Bank moved to the corner of Witte and Dewey in 1944, and remained at that location until the present building was constructed in 1959 at the corner of Clayton and Witte.  In 1991, the main bank was totally renovated and a 10,000 square foot two-story addition was added.

There has been a continuous revamping of products and services as CNB strives to offer its customers the latest in banking technology. CNB brought the first ATM to Leflore County in 1977 on the north side of Poteau. Keeping pace with changing technology, CNB established a web site in 1998 and in early 2001, the bank was the first in LeFlore County to offer its customers free internet banking. Check imaging was implemented in January of 2003. Today CNB provides multiple services such as Digital Banking, Mobile Banking, remote deposit, eStatements, card management, and much more!

Branches

In 1980 a multi-lane drive thru facility, with the first detached drive-thru in LeFlore County, was constructed on the highway.  In 2008, the Poteau drive-thru facility was relocated to 1907 N. Broadway. The new 4,000 square foot North Branch features a walk-in lobby, loan offices, customer services offices, ATM and six drive-thru lanes.

Central National Bank opened our first full-service branch in Pocola in 1984. Construction of a new building in Pocola was completed in January of 1996. The new facility features four drive thru lanes, ATM, a 2,600 square foot customer area with loan offices, customer service representative offices, and walk-in vault with safety deposit boxes. 

In 1989 a new CNB branch was built in Panama. The Panama branch facility was expanded in 1995 and a second drive thru lane was added. In the Spring of 2005, the branch was remodeled.

In May of 2000, CNB opened a 3,200 square foot branch in Stigler, expanding full-service banking to Haskell County.  The new facility features four drive thru lanes, ATM, loan offices, customer service representative offices, and walk-in vault with safety deposit boxes. 

Central National Bank continued to expand by entering the Heavener market. A loan origination office was opened in Heavener in August of 2001. In March of 2002 the branch relocated to a new 3,200 square foot full-service facility with a walk-in lobby, two loan offices, three customer services representative offices, ATM, and 4 drive-thru lanes.

Following F.L. Holton's death in November 2009, Steve Holton was elected, and remains, Chairman of the Board. Central National Bank is LeFlore County's oldest and largest bank with over $330,000,000 in total assets and serving its customers from six convenient locations in Poteau, Pocola, Panama, Stigler, and Heavener.

Central National Bank and First National Bank of Fort Smith join forces! 

Our goal at CNB has always been to provide the very best in financial services to our customers and our community. That’s why we are excited to announce that as of November 5^th, 2022, we are now a division of First National Bank of Fort Smith! We are the same strong bank, but now we are even stronger!

About First National Bank of Fort Smith 

First National Bank of Fort Smith is proud to offer a complete array of business and personal banking products and services that are designed with you and your financial goals in mind. We aspire to be a valued component in your lives and businesses. To do this, we strive to be highly responsive to your needs through the creation of customized solutions and services.

First National Bank of Fort Smith is a reputable and longstanding community bank whose mission is to be dedicated to serving the current and future needs of the families and businesses that make up the communities in which they live and work. First National Bank of Fort Smith has served Arkansas River Valley, Northwest Arkansas, Eastern Oklahoma and beyond since 1872.

The First National Bank of Fort Smith has 12 locations in the River Valley, 6 locations in Northwest Arkansas and now 9 locations in Eastern Oklahoma. In addition, our customers are offered the convenience of banking at any of the 7 Citizens Bank & Trust locations in the River Valley.

Through First Bank Corporation, we offer our customers the availability of 39 ATM's and 34 bank locations in the River Valley, Northwest Arkansas, and Eastern Oklahoma. With the addition of Brown-Hiller-Clark in 2002, we offer our customers a complete array of financial services including banking, insurance, trust and investments services throughout the Arkansas River Valley, Northwest Arkansas, and Eastern Oklahoma.

“I am very excited about the new relationship with the First National Bank of Fort Smith. As a member of the First National Bank of Fort Smith Family, Central National Bank customers will have access to additional services, multiple locations, and the latest technology. The best thing is our CNB Team Members will still be available to help you throughout this transition. Central National Bank and First National Bank of Fort Smith look forward to providing you with all your banking needs.”

 Mike Hall, CNB President