First National Bank of Louisville (Ky.)

Organized in 1863 with capital subscribed to $300,000, the First National Bank of Louisville was located on Sixth and Main Streets. and soon moved to Fifth Street and Court Place in the downtown area. By 1908, the bank experienced financial difficulties, as its assets were not considered liquid enough, and the bank's administration and bookkeeping operations were in some disarray. The necessity of acquiring more money led the Kentucky Title Savings Bank and Trust Company to purchase a controlling interest in First National. By 1910, the takeover was complete.

As its financial situation stabilized, the First National Bank stock was unified with that of the trust company. The bank continued its operations as a savings bank and lending institution. It began to expand its facilities in commercial banking, and the trust company centered on trust business. By 1950, there were eight branch offices. First National merged with the First National Bank of Saint Matthews and the First National Bank of Buechel in 1954. In 1960, Lincoln Bank and Trust Company merged with First National, and the corporate name was changed to First National Lincoln Bank of Louisville. The name changed back to First National Bank in 1967.

The Mastercharge credit system was acquired by First National in 1967. The bank continued its expansion as relationships with European banks were established and it became the first bank in the state to implement extensive computer and microfilm services. In 1970, ground was broken for the First National Tower in downtown Louisville; by 1973, this forty-story tower was occupied.