Old Second National Bank has a rich history dating back to 1871, when it was chartered as the Second National Bank, with initial capital of $100,000. As one of the oldest community banks in the Fox Valley, the bank has remained rooted in both Kane and Kendall Counties, building a brand with a community-based banking style.

“Our downtown Aurora headquarters facility is a historical landmark and a prominent
business in the city of Aurora,” said Jim Eccher, bank president and CEO. “We have a strong relationship with the City of Aurora and we're actively involved with many of Aurora's redevelopment projects.”

In fact, the bank and its employees were involved in more than 300 organizations last year, donating thousands of hours in community service.

“We've built our reputation on that,” Eccher said. “We ask all of our bank officers to commit to serving in various civic and community organizations. We look at this as an
investment in our communities and in turn, the communities have embraced
us.”

Old Second’s “community” is much larger today than in 1871. Over the last seven years, Eccher said Old Second has expanded to encompass 35 locations and over 100 ATMs. “We've expanded into Elgin, DeKalb, Joliet, Naperville and Plano,” Eccher said.

Just last month, Old Second completed the acquisition of Heritage Banc, Inc. which
was a $350 million bank headquartered in Frankfort, Ill. That purchase gave Old Second
branches in the south east markets of New Lenox and Chicago Heights. A new bank branch is under construction in Joliet and Old Second will break ground in Orland Park later this year.

Another significant change in the way Old Second does business is in the manner in which services are delivered to customers. Like most banks these days, Internet banking, Sunday hours and expanded wealth management products continue to evolve.

“Today's economy demands quick service, so the pace in which we do things is much faster than it was just a few years ago,” Eccher said. But he is equally quick to point out that while the industry is getting more computer savvy as a whole, it’s the personal side that Old Second attributes to its continued success.

“We know our success has been tied to our very deep and loyal customer
base, many of whom have banked with us for more than 50 years,” Eccher said. And while he adds that technology is playing a bigger role in today's banking environment,
particularly with people under 40, “Our business is still about people and establishing relationships,” he said.