Wahoo Branch
Connect with Wahoo
Main Lobby Hours
Mon. – Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Sat. Closed.
Drive-Thru Hours
Mon. – Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Sat. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Walk Up Window Hours
Mon. – Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Sat. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
(entrance is located east of the lobby door next to the Drive Thru exit lane)
Our History
FirstBank of Nebraska is comprised of four banks spanning the Southeast Nebraska communities of Wahoo, Syracuse, Sterling and Burchard. While each branch possesses it’s own unique history, the Sterling, Burchard and Syracuse branch locations were each acquired by what is formerly known as the First National Bank of Wahoo. In 1992, the State Bank of Burchard and Bank of Sterling were merged into one charter under the First National Bank of Wahoo—while the First National Bank and Trust of Syracuse was purchased in 2010, nearly doubling the overall bank in asset size.
Although the organization has always embraced its origins, we also recognize that growth and additional locations expand and diversify our customer base. Therefore, in 2013, the decision was made to officially change the charter name from First National Bank of Wahoo to FirstBank of Nebraska—better reflecting the many communities we serve.
The Wahoo branch has remained in the same location since its inception in 1882, and the Burchard location also preserves and utilizes their historic building. The Sterling and Syracuse facilities have both had the opportunity to establish new facilities. Our staff takes pride in the bank’s progress, longevity, and dedication, as it continues to look ahead and provide a full range of banking services to the communities we serve.
The First National Bank of Wahoo was organized in Wahoo, Nebraska on July 15, 1882 with a capital stock of $50,000. The bank’s first President, Henry Anderson, was the pioneer of the banking business in Wahoo, starting the first bank in the town with a small iron safe and $200 in money. The bank continues to operate in the location of its predecessors—“Anderson and Griffith”, private bankers—on the corner of Fifth and Linden Street in Wahoo, Nebraska. The current building was erected in 1919 and in 1955 an addition, including a new safe deposit box vault was added to the structure. Ten years later, the east side of the building was extended, adding teller space, a new walk-up window and a drive-through window. Since that time, the building has experienced ongoing renovations, upgrades and remodels to accommodate the ever-evolving needs of the industry.
The bank has been a member of the Federal Reserve System of the United States since 1914 and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation since it originated in 1933. While other banks were forced to close, this charter was able to sustain through the early eras of wars and economic shifts, including the Great Depression and the market crash of Wall Street. The bank also printed its own national currency until 1935, a rare 54-year printing period for a national bank.
In 1969, Edward J (E. J.) Carlson—doing business as Bank Management—purchased the controlling interest in First National Bank of Wahoo and in June of 1982 sold the controlling stock to the J. V. Johnson family, who also owned banks in the Johnson County area. With the change in ownership First National Bank of Wahoo acquired sister banks that included the State Bank of Burchard, Bank of Sterling and Tecumseh State Bank.
In July of 1982 First National Bank of Wahoo celebrated a milestone for the bank’s charter, commemorating its 100th anniversary. The J.V. Johnson family continued to own and operate the bank until January 1987 when William March—whose wife, Margaret, was the daughter of J.V. Johnson Sr.—assumed controlling interest through 2017. At that time, the Schardt Family Group transitioned into ownership.
In 2010, First National Bank of Wahoo purchased the First National Bank and Trust of Syracuse, nearly doubling the bank in asset size. The organization grew from three to a total of four Nebraska locations, spanning: Wahoo, Sterling, Burchard and Syracuse. In order to better reflect the many communities that it served, First National Bank of Wahoo changed its name to FirstBank of Nebraska in 2013. The charter, routing number, staff, ownership and internal management of the organization remain the same under the new identity.