Citizens National Bank first opened its doors for business at 2005 Benton Road in October of 1985 when a small group of local business people saw the need for a locally owned and managed bank that would provide modern banking services, but without the cold and impersonal delivery of those services so prevalent in today’s financial institutions.
There is no doubt that their concept for such a bank was a viable one. The bank’s total assets have increased dramatically every year since 1985. In the bank’s early years the downturn in both the local and national economies caused many banks to either be acquired by stronger institutions or face closure by the regulatory authorities. However, even during these trying times, Citizens National Bank grew in both asset size and profitability. By 1988, just three years after its opening, the bank opened its first branch in the Heart O’Bossier Center, making its unique concept of banking service delivery more easily available to a much larger group of businesses and individuals.
Realizing that brick-and-mortar branches are not the only way to deliver convenience in banking, the bank soon installed its first 24-Hour Automatic Teller Machine and the “OnCall” system enabling customers to check balances, transfer funds and make loan payments with a simple telephone call anytime, day or night, 24/7. This system has since been enhanced and is known as “Citizens Connect.” Soon thereafter internet banking was inaugurated and has been consistently enhanced and expanded each year.
Because of the bank’s dynamic growth, its main office at 2005 Benton Road became inadequate and the need for larger quarters was obvious. In 1997, the new Main Office at 2711 East Texas opened and featured an all-new, state-of-the-art in-house computer and management information system. At this time the Heart O’Bossier location was closed and the former main office facility was converted to a branch.
In 1999, the first branch in Shreveport was opened at 9237 Mansfield Road, quickly followed by another at 1545 East 70th Street, located in the middle of the booming Youree Drive-70th Street corridor.
Further expansion came in 2005 when a new branch was opened in Bossier City at 700 Stockwell Road in the Stockwell Commons Shopping center.
In December of 2009, we opened our cutting edge Downtown Shreveport location at 330 Marshall Street on the first floor of the Beaird Tower. This branch provides a first-hand look at the latest in banking technology and customer convenience.
With the discovery of the Haynesville Shale, economic activity increased in Desoto Parish. During this time of growth in Mansfield, Citizens National Bank decided to open their 7th branch. In September of 2010, the bank conducted business in a temporary building, while the permanent branch was under construction. The branch opened its doors in October of 2011.
Citizens National Bank entered into an agreement with Investment Professionals, Inc. (IPI) as our Broker Dealer. In November of 2011 Citizens National Investment Services officially opened new offices in the Beaird Tower and are currently located at the Main Branch in Bossier City. Now our licensed security dealers offer a wide array of Investment Services. Please visit our Investment Advisor Professionals for any nontraditional bank services.
On December 16, 2010 we entered into a definitive agreement to merge Citizens Bank & Trust of Springhill with Citizens National Bank, N.A. On March 31, 2011 we completed that transaction and merged the Holding Companies on that date. Subsequently, on November 4, 2011 we consummated the merger of the two banks and the 8 locations of Citizens Bank and Trust became locations of Citizens National Bank. The merged banks now have 12 locations in Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto, Claiborne and Webster Parishes.
In April of 2016 Citizens National Bank named Jason Smith as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.
