The history of banking — on the surface, those four words send many running for the hills. The history of banking? Yikes. Right up there with the history of algebra, of paper, of weaving…each perhaps just a little dry.
But the history of banking actually is a fascinating subject. Really. Think of it. The ancient Romans are credited with creating formal banking as we know it today. The Knights Templar essentially ran a bank. (Imagine your banker riding his steed across a continent protecting bags of gold and wacking heads in the process.) Kings of old bankrupted entire countries, abusing their own banks to fund wars and chase treasure.
That's good stuff….
The fine folks at Investopedia wrote a really good narrative on the history and evolution of banking, tracing its roots in ancient temples to the modern system in use today.
Again, good stuff.
At Centennial, our history is a little less nuanced. Chartered in 1999 and starting out as a hometown bank in Conway, Ark., we've held on to that hometown ideal while growing throughout central Arkansas and across Florida, from the Panhandle to the Keys (with more locations to come…).
So, think of us as your banking knights protecting our hometowns from usury, bad customer service and unnecessary fees.
