This is where your Vision comes together.
We’re fortified with lots of sharp visionary thinkers, most of whom have walked in your shoes. And we have the scuff marks to prove it. We understand that bold visions often require progressive tactics. Our roll-up-your-sleeves tenacity drives us to move beyond typical banking conventions and find more creative financial solutions proven to grow your business.
Over 120 years in banking. How’s that for strength?
We opened our doors in 1904 and have remained dedicated to helping those in our community with sound financial solutions for business and personal use. Today, we have nine banking centers in Illinois and Iowa and a team of super smart associates with a heavy emphasis on helping businesses thrive.
In 2008 Lee Garlach with a group of visionaries purchased the bank and a few months after his arrival, the financial crisis hit, making things challenging to say the least. As the crisis spread into a global economic shock, many banks failed. But with Lee’s guidance and unshakeable perseverance, the bank, like a mighty fortress, stood strong. Today, with over $700 million in assets, Fortress continues to be a strong, stable force in helping entrepreneurs and Midwest neighbors succeed.
- 1904 Opened for business as The State Bank of Burnside
- 1941 Moved to LaHarpe, IL and became the State Bank of LaHarpe
- 2008 Opened loan production office in Peoria, IL
- 2012 Opened full service banking center in Peoria, IL
- 2014 Opened two more loan production offices in Quad Cities and Pekin, IL
- 2017 Renamed bank to Fortress Bank
- 2018 Opened full-service banking center in Davenport, IA
- 2019 Opened a loan production office in Des Moines, IA
- Vision To be the bank of entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs
He’s got a little street cred.
Meet Lee — horse rancher, entrepreneur, and financial wiz who knows the ups and downs and sideways of running a business. Lee owned and managed a beer distributorship, and successfully navigated it through some brutally tough times. Oh, by the way, he’s our owner and CEO. And we’re happy he’s back in the saddle leading the charge here at the Fort.
We’re soup to nuts about these businesses.
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Manufacturing
We’ll make good on
helping you make goods -
Construction
More contractors
contract with us -
Real Estate & Development
We love developing
relationships with developers -
Farming & Agri-business
We have a crop-load of experience
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Dentistry
We know the drill
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Tax Credit Financing
We make it all less taxing
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Medical
We have lots of practice
in medical practice -
All Other Industries
But wait,
there’s more…