About Superior National Bank
Generations of growth and success.
In 1890 when the Quincy Mine opened in Hancock, Michigan, local banking focused only on serving commercial banking customers. Seeing a need to serve everyday people, a group of local businessmen led by Charles Wright, opened Superior Savings Bank on April 1, 1890. Their first location was in the back of a jewelry store.
They grew on, and with a capital investment of $150,000, established the Superior Trust Company in 1902. This opened up new investment opportunities for bankers at a time when brokerage houses were getting the bulk of their business in copper stocks. When Calumet & Hecla Mining Company stock hit $1,000 a share, the financial world looked on in awe.
As the Quincy Mining Company continued to grow, so did the bank. By 1910, the mining company’s 2,000 employees were looking to build homes, establish savings, and improve their lives. Superior Savings Bank was there to help them do just that – earning them the nickname “The Working Folks’ Bank” from area residents.
And still they grew with the booming local economy. The bank built a three story, state of the art facility on the lot of their first location, and on December 6, 1941, Superior National Bank and Superior Trust Company officially merged, forming Superior National Bank and Trust.
By 1960, the bank constructed its second new building on a lot previously occupied by St. Patrick’s Church. The building was considered the most modern office complex in the Copper Country at that time and featured the area’s first drive-up window. All these years later, that location still serves as the Superior National Bank headquarters at 235 Quincy Street in Hancock.
Determined to expand the bank to other locations, in 1964 bank President Gunnar Miller set his sights on Baraga, Michigan. Regulations at the time required that bank branches be within a 25-mile radius of the headquarters. To his relief, the Baraga site was located 24.596 miles away. The branch opened in 1966 and was highly profitable, breaking even in 14 months. Additional locations soon followed: Hubbell in the mid-70’s, Mohawk, Chassell and Houghton.
Bank growth continued into the new millennium, with the acquisition of Commercial National Bank of L’Anse in 2009.
In 2020, bank growth continued with the acquisition of North Star Financial Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiary Main Street Bank of Bingham Farms, Michigan.
Through more than 130 years of growth, one thing has remained the same: Our commitment to serving the needs of our community. Though we have expanded to serve businesses and corporations, the strength and character of the community that got us here remains the backbone of our culture.
Superior National Bank has earned national recognition as a ‘Top 200 Community Bank’ by American Banker Magazine – an honor that reflects the quality of our service and the support of our community.
