May 30, 2026 History of Banking Panel
A full house at the Elgin Museum as the audience enjoyed a delightful and entertaining panel about the History of the Elgin Bank. The panel shared their heartfelt remembrances and associations with the Elgin bank. Surprisingly, stories about the coin wrapping machine was a humorous thread throughout the discussions.
Steve Kirkeby telling the audience about his time as a young boy working in the First State Bank of Elgin under his grandparents, the bank being the first to add computerization, and the heartbreak of his family losing the bank during the 1980s financial crisis.
Fran Zerbel kept the audience's rapt attention as she told of being robbed by shotgun at the First State Bank of Elgin and then later confronting the robber after his time in jail.
Steve Oliver awed and entertained the audience with the story of his chase and capture of the bank robber from Elgin.
Tina Smart, reflected on her time as the last bank manager of the then US Bank of Elgin (previously First State Bank of Elgin). She shared humorous and touching anecdotes on the last days of the Elgin bank.
Ella Youngbluth presented the original First State Bank of Elgin safe to the Elgin Museum. The safe had been bought by her father in the 1950s, when the Elgin bank sold it. She shared stories of her fathers dedication and passion to the small Eastern Oregon communities as a Pioneer Savings bank manager and his incredible WW II and Korean War experiences.