Tulsa World: First Oklahoma Bank is now open

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First Oklahoma Bank is now open

CHAIRMAN
Tom Bennett Jr.: "It's exciting to get to do something we enjoy," says Bennett, who has served as president of Stillwater National Bank in Tulsa.

By LAURIE WINSLOW World Staff Writer
Published: 11/5/2009 2:30 AM
Last Modified: 11/5/2009 4:25 AM

First Oklahoma Holdings Inc. completed its purchase Wednesday of Glencoe State Bank and has moved its headquarters to Tulsa.

The bank's name has been changed to First Oklahoma Bank.

First Oklahoma Holdings, the bank's holding company, was created last year with the purpose of opening a bank in Tulsa either through a de novo bank or the acquisition of an existing institution, company officials said.

The headquarters has been relocated to the 57th floor of CityPlex Towers at 81st Street and Lewis Avenue. That facility houses the bank's executive and lending offices, and by January will offer a full-service banking facility on the first floor.

First Oklahoma also is opening a second branch at 41st Street and Rockford Avenue, where a groundbreaking on the future 10,000-square-foot building takes place Thursday afternoon.

A temporary, modular facility will open for business Monday at the site of the future branch, said Tom Bennett Jr., chairman and co-CEO of the new bank. The permanent facility is expected to open next August.

The bank's full-service Glencoe office, which has been renamed First Oklahoma, will remain open with all members of its current staff. Signs with the bank's new name will go up this weekend.

"I feel really blessed that God would give us an opportunity to do this again with our friends and colleagues, who've been with us so many years, both investors and staff who've come together," Bennett said. "It's exciting to get to do something we enjoy."

Bennett, whose resume includes serving as president of Stillwater National Bank in Tulsa and helping create Oklahoma National Bank and Trust Co., is working with many of the latter bank's investors.

Oklahoma National was started in 2000 and later renamed ONB Bank. Bennett retired from ONB in March 2008.

First Oklahoma Holdings is owned by 180 families who have invested $17 million in the venture.

Bennett is joined in the company by his wife, Sue Bennett, who will serve as senior vice president and director of marketing and investor relations. Their son Tom Bennett III is the bank's president and co-CEO, while their son Jim Bennett will serve as vice president.

First Oklahoma will have 25 employees in Tulsa and seven in Glencoe.

Laurie Winslow 581-8466
laurie.winslow@tulsaworld.com By LAURIE WINSLOW World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "First Oklahoma Bank opens," which was published on 11/4/2009.

	Report Comment Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (11/4/2009 6:47:01 PM) I wish them the best. Thanks to God, the OCC, the Treasury Dept., and a failed bank for helping them get started, haha
	Report Comment Mar, Tulsa (11/4/2009 10:17:37 PM) So many people out of work, but new banks opening all the time and banks opening more locations. Somebody must have money.
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (11/5/2009 8:48:46 AM) Oh good, another bank.
	Report Comment sirwinston, (11/5/2009 9:24:24 AM) And banks don't pay their actual employees anything. BOK has the worst pay in the world.
	Report Comment anm1135, (11/5/2009 10:25:20 AM) sirwinston, I disagree. I worked for BOK and they pay a fair wage. I've been in the banking industry for many years now and everyone gets paid a fair wage. Not sure where you are getting your information that "banks don't pay their actual employees anything".
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (11/5/2009 11:00:10 AM) Another one to rob...
	Report Comment TK1, (11/5/2009 11:16:21 AM) Making plans Lucky Girl?
	Report Comment forkandknife, Tulsa (11/5/2009 11:33:06 AM) Yay.
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (11/5/2009 12:21:21 PM) Shhh TK1
	Report Comment TK1, (11/5/2009 12:40:23 PM) Make sure you keep that head down, just like in your avatar.
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (11/5/2009 12:43:34 PM) Can I borrow your hat?
	Report Comment TK1, (11/5/2009 12:51:25 PM) You might want the coat too. I think you might get a little chilly.
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (11/5/2009 1:10:21 PM) Thanks for thinking of me
	Report Comment Daven, Tulsa (11/5/2009 3:47:37 PM) Those 25 people that are working there sure will think the pay is better then nothing I am sure. What a bunch of ungrateful people. I say congrats and I wish them much success.

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