American Exchange Bank (AEB) of Henryetta, Oklahoma was founded in the middle of the biggest economic crisis in U.S. History, The Great Depression. The Henryetta district had touched its financial bottom in the years between 1923 and 1933 and outside capital could not be persuaded to invest in Henryetta. In September of 1933, 51 local citizens invested in American Exchange Bank, which enabled AEB to reorganize and restore banking confidence in the city.
For nearly nine decades, AEB endured through twelve recessions as a small community bank that stood alone, with no branches. In July, 2020, a carefully planned de novo branch in Okemah, Oklahoma was opened. The new location has thrived despite opening in the middle of an unforeseen pandemic.
Currently, American Exchange Bank is a two-office community bank in East Central Oklahoma. The institution offers traditional banking services primarily focusing on consumer banking services, small business banking products, 1-4 family residential mortgages, and consumer loans.
AEB’s overall business model has not seen significant change over the years. The bank’s primary focus as a small community bank has always been quality customer service, centering on knowing the customer and providing for the needs of that customer.