Our History

The story of First Bank and Trust Company began in a small basement in Lebanon, Virginia, where a group of Russell County farmers came together with a shared vision, to create a bank that understood the land, valued hard work, and put people first.

From that meeting, our bank was born. With 183 local shareholders investing $20 per share, they built more than a financial institution, they built a promise to serve their neighbors and strengthen their communities.

Over the years, that promise has flourished. What started with just five employees has grown into a dedicated team of more than 465 professionals, all committed to serving our customers with integrity, innovation, and care.

We’ve stayed true to our independent roots. Since opening our doors, we have never merged with another bank, and our only acquisition, The First Commonwealth Bank in 2003, expanded our reach to Wise and Norton, Virginia. As of 2025, we are proud to manage $4.1 billion in assets, a reflection of the trust our customers place in us.

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Community Banks Still Matter

Proven Performance, Exceptional Customer Service

2026 brings the First Bank and Trust Company a series of impressive national and regional recognitions that reflect not only strong performance, but a fundamentally different approach to banking.

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S&P Global Market Intelligence

On a national level, the bank was ranked #28 in S&P Global Market Intelligence’s 2025 Top 50 Best Performing U.S. Community Banks within the $3 billion to $10 billion asset category. This ranking is based on rigorous performance metrics such as return on assets, efficiency, and asset quality, further reinforcing the bank’s disciplined approach to growth and operations.

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American Bankers Association

Ranked as the 3rd largest agricultural bank in the United States and the 17th largest agricultural lender among all U.S. commercial banks by dollar volume, according to the American Bankers Association. These distinctions highlight a deep, ongoing commitment to farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities; relationships that are often overlooked by larger, national institutions.

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BauerFinancial

Earned a 5-Star Superior rating from BauerFinancial, the nation’s leading independent bank rating firm. This designation is reserved for banks that demonstrate exceptional financial strength, stability, and reliability, giving customers confidence that their financial partner is built to last.

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Today, First Bank and Trust Company operates 34 offices across Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, offering a full range of financial services including:

  • Agricultural Lending — supporting the farmers and businesses that feed our communities
  • Business and Commercial Lending - helping small businesses and large enterprises grow and fuel our local economies
  • Trust and Wealth Management — helping individuals and families secure their financial futures
  • Mortgage Services — making home ownership possible for thousands of families

Our success is built on people. More than 120 employees have been part of the First Bank and Trust family for over a decade — a testament to the strong culture, excellent benefits, and sense of purpose that define our organization.

As we continue to grow, we’re embracing technology to better serve both our customers and our employees, ensuring that the same spirit of innovation that started in a basement in Lebanon, Virginia carries into the future.

Our Focus

Our focus has always been on providing innovative financial solutions in a community banking environment, where exceptional customer service is our top priority.

Since our inception, we have proudly offered free checking with no fees or minimums. In addition, we are proud to offer a free industry-leading digital banking experience. Whether you want to pay a few bills online or wish to manage your full financial life, our digital banking tools can support your every need.
 
We also cater to local businesses, large and small, who wish to take advantage of a community bank that offers all of the business services expected from a larger institution.
 
Caring for your individual and business financial needs reminds us daily that we are privileged to have your trust.