About First Fidelity Bank
First Class Banking on a First Name Basis
Since 1905, First Fidelity Bank has grown alongside the people we love in the places we call home. As we blow out the candles on our 120th year, it’s you we honor and celebrate—our neighbors.
Chartered in 1905 by Lowell S. Lillibridge and P.M. Fulton, First Fidelity Bank began as the Burke State Bank in Burke, South Dakota. The one building served as a drugstore, grocery store, and bank until Fulton, a druggist by trade, moved to Arizona for health reasons in the mid-20s and sold his shares to Lillibridge, who saw the present bank office and headquarters constructed in 1922.
Lillibridge died September 23, 1930, and his 20-year-old son, Lowell Louis Lillibridge returned from the University of Chicago to assume management of the bank.
During this time, Burke State Bank opened a branch in Bonesteel, followed by the purchase of Jones County State Bank in Murdo in 1949 and the Citizens Bank of Colome in 1956. The names of these three banks were changed to First Fidelity Bank in 1972, although they continued to operate under their separate charter.
In 1974, a new branch in Platte was opened, that same year the bank also purchased its Gregory branch from United National Bank. In 1986, the three separate First Fidelity Bank charters (Burke, Murdo, and Colome) were merged into one First Fidelity Bank under the original 1905 charter, and in 1990, Ranchers National Bank in Winner was acquired, marking seven First Fidelity Bank offices in South Dakota.
John and Tom L. Lillibridge were the third generation of Lillibridges involved in the bank. Sons of Lowell Louis Lillibridge, John, joined the bank in 1962, and Tom in 1967. John was the bank’s President from 1969 until 1982, followed by Tom until 2001, when George Kenzy, John’s son-in-law, became President. John was the former Chairman and remained Chairman Emeritus until his death in August 2018. Tom was Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors until his death in August 2017.
George Kenzy, Chairman
Dave Nelson, President & CEO
George and his wife, Laurie, are the fourth generation involved in the bank. George served as Chairman, President, and CEO from 2001 to November 2019 and is still chairman of the board today. David Nelson, former Platte branch manager and Senior Vice President, took over President and CEO duties in November 2019.
In October 2023, First Fidelity Bank acquired Dakota Prairie Bank, opening locations in Draper, White River, Presho, and Fort Pierre, growing the bank’s footprint to 11 locations across South Dakota.
A strong local identity and continuity of leadership have made First Fidelity an integral part of family and business life in the communities it serves. It seems that as big banks get bigger, they know less about the folks they serve, and one-size-fits-all policy decisions are made on a national level. But here at First Fidelity, we’re proud to be a family-owned community bank. We’re strong enough to stand on our own, yet small enough to understand and appreciate the real-life needs of the people we serve. That’s why you’ll always get first-class banking on a first-name basis at First Fidelity Bank.