First Fidelity Bank
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking, Financial services |
| Predecessor | First State Bank of Norman (1920) |
| Founded | 1920 in Oklahoma, United States |
| Headquarters | Oklahoma City , United States |
Area served | Oklahoma, Arizona, Colorado |
Key people | Lee R. Symcox (CEO), Suzanne Symcox (Executive Vice President), Bill Cameron (Chairman), Lynda Cameron |
| Products | Checking accounts, deposit services, loan products, mortgage financing, insurance solutions, investment options, retirement plans |
| Parent | First Fidelity Bancorp |
First Fidelity Bank is a United States-based retail bank and financial services provider, originally chartered in Oklahoma in 1920. Operating as a subsidiary of First Fidelity Bancorp, which was established in 1982, ownership is shared among Lee R. Symcox, Suzanne Symcox, Bill Cameron, and Lynda Cameron. The bank’s headquarters are located in Oklahoma City, with a network of 29 branches spanning Oklahoma, Arizona, and Colorado. As reported in 2020, the institution holds assets totaling $2 billion.
History
The institution began as First State Bank of Norman in 1920 and was purchased by the Symcox family in 1952. It underwent rechartering as Commercial Bank, National Association in 1981.
In 1992, First Fidelity combined with City National Bank, creating the fifth largest bank in Oklahoma, valued at $240 million. The bank expanded its presence to Tulsa in 2002 with a focus on commercial lending and entered the Arizona market two years later in 2004. By 2006, it had become the third largest banking entity within the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.
Between 2006 and 2013, First Fidelity pursued growth via acquisitions, including Edmond Bank & Trust (2006), Western Security Bank (2007), and Sunrise Bank of Arizona (2013), which contributed $202.2 million in assets. Additionally, it acquired $80 million worth of deposits from Home National Bank in Arizona during 2010. These strategic acquisitions bolstered its market share and extended its regional reach across several states.
Operations
Based in Oklahoma City, First Fidelity Bank serves customers across Oklahoma, Arizona, and Colorado as a subsidiary of First Fidelity Bancorp, founded in 1982. Its product offerings include checking accounts, deposit services, loan products, mortgage financing, insurance solutions, investment options, and retirement plans. By 2014, the bank operated 30 branch locations and managed assets exceeding $2 billion by the year 2020.
The bank was an early innovator in mobile banking technology, introducing a mobile deposit app in 2012 and collaborating with Apple Pay starting in 2014 to improve digital payment capabilities.
Corporate
Ownership of First Fidelity Bank is private and held by chairman Bill Cameron and his sister Lynda Cameron alongside CEO Lee R. Symcox and executive vice president Suzanne Symcox. This leadership structure integrates family ownership with professional executive management.
In 2014, the bank enhanced its brand exposure by becoming the jersey sponsor for Oklahoma City Energy FC during the inaugural season of the United Soccer League, thereby increasing its visibility within key markets.