First California Bank history

Kaspare Cohn died in 1916 and was followed by Ben Meyer as president of the bank.

In 1918, the name of the bank was changed to Union Bank & Trust Company.

In 1922, the bank was growing at such a fast rate that it opened a new headquarters on Eighth and Hill Streets and, just five years later, the bank's continued growth required an enlargement and significant improvement of these facilities.

First California Federal Credit Union was established November 18, 1924, as Fresno Postal Employees Credit Union, Limited.

Like every bank across the nation, however, Union Bank was affected by the stock market crash of 1929.

After Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Bank Holiday Proclamation in 1933, Union Bank was one of the banks allowed to reopen for business.

In 1957, the bank appointed Harry J. Volk to serve as president.

In 1962, the field of membership was expanded to encompass all United States Government Employees residing in Fresno County.

The holding company, Union Bancorp (subsequently changed to Unionamerica, Inc. in 1969) was formed to assume the ownership of Union Bank and to create new opportunities for expanding into diversified areas of financial services.

By 1972, the bank's deposits in its Northern California regional office were greater than those of the entire bank.

In 1982, the Credit Union converted to a federal charter.

Merger with the Bank of California in 1996

Formed in October 1998, California Bank & Trust is the result of merging three institutions acquired separately by Zions Bancorporation: Sumitomo Bank of California, San Diego-based Grossmont Bank and First Pacific National Bank.

Subsequent acquisitions saw the addition of Alliance Bank and Vineyard Bank in 2009.