Frontier Bank has a long history in Falls City

Frontier Bank, formerly Richardson County Bank & Trust, hit a milestone recently, celebrating its 145th anniversary by hosting a community appreciation celebration on Friday, June 13, 2025.

Richardson County Bank & Trust opened for business on June 1, 1880, when George Holland organized the business at 1508 Stone Street. By 1887, the bank had outgrown its original location and moved into its new digs at 1622 Stone Street. A fire destroyed the bank in 1918, and the bank was on the move once again, settling into the three-story building where the Falter Museum now sits.

J.L. Slocum purchased the bank in 1882 and served as its President until he died in 1937. After Slocum’s death, A.F. Schaible was named the new President, a position he held until 1959. At the time of his retirement, Schaible had been at the bank for 64 years, since beginning in 1918 as a cashier.

George Lyon assumed the role of Bank President from 1959-1962 until his death. John Morehead was elected to fill the position in 1962 and held the office until 2002. During his tenure, the current building was constructed (1972), and the State Bank of Stella was purchased (1988). The Stella Bank merged with RCB&T in 1995 and again with Frontier Bank in 2022.

After Morehead, Dana Rathje was named President in 2002, a position he held until his retirement in 2018. RCB&T was purchased by Frontier Holdings in 2011 and merged into Frontier Bank in 2015. When Rathje stepped down, Marc Morehead, son of John Morehead, was promoted to Market President.

Currently, Falls City native Trent Scheitel is the Market President, a role he assumed in 2022.

Scheitel issued this statement to the Journal regarding the bank. “From 1880 until today, Richardson County and now Frontier Bank has been a valued partner within Falls City and the surrounding communities we have served—earning trust, fostering growth and investing in the future. Frontier Bank always has and will be committed to empowering financial success through local, relationship-driven banking. Here’s to all the family farms, businesses, and neighbors that have been at the heart of our story—yesterday, today and for generations to come.”