We believe it is truly a privilege to be an integral part of our community–just as we have been since 1875, and will continue to be for the next century and beyond. As a mutual bank, we have no shareholders. This allows us to remain local. More importantly, as the only bank headquartered right here in our community, we know that we are in business because of our community and for our community. This is our only home – and we know we cannot continue to thrive or survive without a strong local economy.
A brief overview of some historical milestones
1875 Chartered in State of NH and open for business as Savings Bank of Walpole
1892 Westminster Street Branch in Walpole opens
1896 The only bank in Cheshire County to survive “The Panic of 1896”
1912 Titanic sinks
1913 Federal Reserve System is born
1929 Stock market crashes- the beginning of the Great Depression
1930 Total Assets $1,461,000
1964 Total Assets $15,029,432
1975 Savings Bank of Walpole celebrates 100th Anniversary
1975 First ATM “The Walpole 25 Hours Banker- A Money Machine” installed at Walpole branch
1990 IGA in Walpole partners with SBW, becomes first grocery store in NH to offer a bank card
1990 Grand Opening of North Meadow Plaza branch in Walpole
1992 Riverside Plaza, Keene branch opens
1996 www.walpolebank.com goes live on the “World Wide Web”
1996 Bank-By-Phone introduced
2000 New branch opens on West Street, Keene (Riverside Plaza branch closes)
2000 Internet Banking launched
2001 Marlboro Street, Keene branch opens
2007 Start of the housing collapse and recession
2008 Us Government launches TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program)- not needed at SBW due to excellent credit quality
2016 Total Assets $361,000,000– the only bank still headquartered in Cheshire County
2017 New branch opens at 817 Court Street, Keene
2018 Affiliation with NH Mutual Bancorp becomes effective July 1, 2018. Same bank, same people, same local values … greater strength.
Total Assets of $411 million.
2019 Record Asset, Deposit, Loan and Capital levels.
Net income reaches $3 million level for the first time.
SBW Wealth Management joins forces with MillRiver Wealth Management and Keene based New Hampshire Trust Company to form NHTrust.
2020 Despite a global COVID-19 pandemic, SBW thrives – achieving record levels of growth in all measures while providing vital support to our community.
SBW responds to the needs of our community’s businesses, organizations and families by funding more than $150 million of consumer and business loans. This includes $39 million of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA) and $57 million of residential mortgage loans. Local donations exceed $300,000.
Assets grow to $555 million. Single year growth of $108 million.
Recognition includes “Top Pandemic Performer in the State of New Hampshire” by Banking Northeast Magazine, “The 2020 Emerging Lender” by the NH SBA, “Best Banks to Work For in the U.S.” by American Banker Magazine for the 4th consecutive year, and “Best Local Bank” in the Keene Sentinel’s Choice Awards for the 15th consecutive year.
2021 Assets surpass $600 million in April. Ends year at $668 million.
SBW opens 6th local branch in Winchester in October.
New office opened on Kit Street in Keene to house expanded Customer Resource Center (CRC). CRC will support SBW and its sister banks from the Keene location.
SBW named a “Best Bank to Work For in the U.S.” for the 5th consecutive year.
2022 Assets surpass $700 million in July.
Plans announced to open a new branch in Rindge in the spring of 2023.
$188 million of local loans closed.
SBW donates over $400,000 to over 200 local organizations.
Over 40% of local employees serve on the boards of local nonprofits and other organizations.
2023 (so far) SBW opens 7th local branch in Rindge in April.