History and Family

Historical Timeline

• 1910 - Bank chartered as Ridgefield State Bank.
• 1936 - E.W. Firstenburg starts working at the Bank. Becomes shareholder.
• 1945 - E.W. Firstenburg becomes the majority shareholder of the State Bank of Battle Ground.
• 1947 - E.W. Firstenburg merges the State Bank of Battle Ground and Ridgefield State Bank.
• 1954 - Hazel Dell office constructed and opened as the Head Office.
• 1954 - Ridgefield, Battle Ground and Hazel Dell merged to become First Independent Bank.
• 1960 - Downtown Vancouver office opens and becomes Head Office.
• 1966 - Trust Department established.
• 1984 - First Independent Bank purchases The Columbia Gorge State Bank (Stevenson, Bingen, and Carson).
• 1991 - Head Office expands to new location at 1220 Main St., Vancouver, Washington.
• 1998 - Woodland Financial Center opens in September.
• 2003 - 23rd branch opens inside the Waterford at Fairway Village.
• 2004 - Commercial and Wealth Management office opens in Portland, Oregon.
• 2005 - E.W. Firstenburg retires from the board after 69 years
• 2005 - Firstenburg Family Office established
• 2006 - Opening of International Branch Office on 4th Plain Boulevard (late fall)
• 2008 - Opening of The Quarry and Glenwood Place retirement banking centers, and Salmon Creek financial center.
• 2010 - First Independent celebrates its 100 Year Anniversary. Ready for The Next 100.
• 2010 - Jeanne Firstenburg named First Independent's first female President and Chief Operating Officer

The Firstenburg Family
The Firstenburg Family came to the SW Washington area in 1935. They have deep roots in the communities of the region and today three generations of Firstenburgs work for First Independent and serve on the Board of Directors.

• E.W. Firstenburg began working at the Ridgefield State Bank and became a stockholder in 1936. He became the majority stockholder in the State Bank of Battle Ground in 1945 and merged both banks in 1947. In 1954 the Hazel Dell branch was constructed and opened as the Head Office when all three banks were merged to become First Independent Bank. E.W. Firstenburg remained chairman of the board of directors until November 2005 when he relinquished that position to his son, William. Today, at 97, E.W. continues daily office hours working with clients at the Waterford branch office.
• William J. Firstenburg , current CEO and Chairman of the Board of First Independent, began his career with the company in 1963. Today, he also serves as the President of the First Independent Investment Group, the bank's holding company.
• Jeanne Firstenburg is President and Chief Operating Officer of First Independent. She manages all of the day-to-day operations of the company including business, support and administrative groups, as well as setting the strategic direction for the bank.
• Bruce E. Firstenburg serves is a Senior Executive Vice President of First Independent, and is Chairman of the Board of the First Independent Investment Group, which owns the bank, as well as real estate properties, businesses and other investments. Bruce has been with the company for more than 40 years.
• Scott Firstenburg is Senior Vice President and Cash Management Officer. Scott works closely with SW Washington business clients helping them to manage their cash flow and improve their bottom line.
• Jeff Firstenburg is Senior Vice President, Private Banking and Oregon Market Director, implementing the growth strategy in metro Portland.
• Joyce Firstenburg Chiles serves as a Director Emeritus on the First Independent Board of Directors.