In a Certificate of Organization adopted on March 26, 1881, a group of community leaders agreed “to associate ourselves in a corporate body to be known as Beloit Savings Bank for the purpose of receiving the deposits of laborers, mechanics, servants, minors and others, and to loan the same for the benefit of such depositors.” S.T. Merrill was elected the first President of the bank. Secretary / Treasurer John A. Holmes was authorized, under the direction of the Financial Committee, to make all necessary arrangements in conformity to law for the opening of Beloit Savings Bank. It served its customers from 2 until 4 PM on Mondays and Saturdays from the 2nd floor of the D.S. Foster Building in downtown Beloit, Wisconsin, after agreeing to “cause such repairs as were proper, not to exceed the sum of twenty dollars.” So it began in 1881 for the bank now known as Blackhawk Bank. Since, the bank has thrived for generations under the guidance of sixteen Presidents and members of the Board. The leadership skills of these men and women have positioned Blackhawk Bank as a foremost provider of financial services in Rock, Boone, and Winnebago counties. Today, lead by President and CEO Rick Bastian, Blackhawk is the second largest bank in Beloit, Wisconsin and second in all of Boone County, Illinois. The community banking tradition is inherent in the bank’s philosophy: to provide unparalleled client service; to give folks the ability to call a bank official for a prompt response to a question or concern; to know clients by name. Blackhawk takes pride in being a strong corporate citizen, strengthening economic growth and prosperity in the communities it serves. While faced with the influx of big-bank conglomerates and non-bank competition, Blackhawk Bank continues to focus on what it does best; meeting clients’ ever-changing needs with friendly, helpful service, convenience, superior financial products and the latest technology.