In 1910 a group of businessmen led by Fox Henderson from Troy, Alabama decided to open a bank in Dozier, Alabama, and on March 10, 1910, The First National Bank of Dozier opened for business. Henderson, an entrepreneur with the ability to raise money for investments, was the bank’s first president for 8 years, yet it is reported that he only entered the bank one time.   Henderson was an investor and the president of banks located in Troy, Brundidge, Luverne, Brantley, Dozier, Andalusia, Elba, and Huntsville; but, the Great Depression of the 1930s saw most of these banks fail. Dozier was the lone survivor of the banks in Crenshaw County during that period of economic chaos.

In March 2008, The First National Bank of Dozier celebrated its 98th anniversary of being opened for banking business to the public.  Bank president Willie Smith stated that the anniversary day was just another working day for the employees at the bank; but he added, “We are already making plans for a big celebration in March of 2010 for our 100th anniversary.”  Smith smiled and said “that will indeed be a milestone for us.  We have a proud past, but we look forward to the future and continued success”.

The bank was organized with the investors from Troy and Dozier providing the money needed to get started.  It took $25,000.00 of capital back then, now it takes about $20 million dollars for a new bank charter. In 1910 a loaf of bread was $0.05, a gallon of milk was $0.28, a pound of butter was $0.25, a gallon of gas was $0.04, a new home (average) was $3,395 and the annual income was $1,004 and those were prosperous times before the depression wrecked the economy and prices took a drastic plunge.

Since the banks opening in 1910, Dozier has had only five bank presidents. Fox Henderson, 1910-1918; A. F. Merrill, (1918-1940); W. A. “Arnold” Merrill, (1940-1973); W. H. “Hiram” McGhee, (1973-1984); and W. B. “Willie” Smith, Jr. (1984-present). 

Directors:

W. B. Smith, Jr., Chairman
Janice P. Biggers
Linda R. Colquett
Earl McBryde
Shaun M. Wilcox

Officers and Staff:

W. B. Smith, Jr., CEO & President
Linda R. Colquett, Executive Vice President and Cashier
Shaun M. Wilcox, Vice President
Janice L. Adams, Assistant Vice President
Phyllis R. Ham
Priscilla S. Kimbro
Amy L. Rodgers

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