About

National Iron Bank strives to be the market’s most trusted and sought after bank, helping consumers and businesses achieve their evolving financial goals while providing the highest level of customer service.

With a comprehensive network of branches and ATMs, no one covers the northwest corner like National Iron Bank. With offices in Cornwall Bridge, Norfolk, Salisbury and Washington Depot and a loan office in Litchfield and New Milford, we have a long standing history and are here to meet your needs today and into the future.

To accomplish more with your time, National Iron Bank offers a suite of services tailored to you. With products and services like a MasterCard® Debit Card that earns rewards, Bank by Phone, online and mobile banking, a comprehensive network of branches throughout the northwest corner, and access to a national network of free ATMs, you can truly bank where and when it is convenient.

The mid-1800s was a prosperous time in and around the Housatonic Valley. The local residents worked in the ore beds, or the many iron works that were in almost non-stop operation up and down the river; they worked for the railroad, or in any of the countless small businesses and industries that grew up along the frequented transit routes; or they worked the abundant acres of farmland that itself created a profitable industry.

The Iron Bank was established to meet the resulting credit demands and financial needs of the thriving community. In May of 1847 a charter was granted by a Special Act of the General Assembly to establish a bank at Falls Village called The Iron Bank. The first meeting of the stockholders was called for and held at Hunt’s Hotel in Canaan on August 17, after which William H. Walton was chosen as President. Appointed Clerk was Alexander H. Holley, who later became Governor of Connecticut.

This was built, along with a “good, solid privy,” with living quarters for the cashiers upstairs – it was their job not only to maintain their customers’ funds but to guard them as well.

Four times yearly, the directors gathered around the pot-bellied stove in the office. The sole purpose of these meetings was to record – and to burn – the worn bank currency so new bills could be issued.

The increased prosperity during the Civil War, drew an inflow of workers who worked long hours and visited the taverns when not working. This raised the first concerns about security, so in 1865, after 18 years in business, the bank finally ordered “one of those Burglar Alarm Systems” for its doors and windows. And to be safe, the directors installed “a good dog” in case the newfangled equipment should fail. The first burglar-proof safe was installed in 1870 and a watchman was hired.

In 1864, the National Banking Act was adopted to help finance the war. Heavily taxed local currency gave way to a new national currency. Keeping pace with these changes, The Iron Bank became a National Bank on July 5, 1865.