Itasca Bank & Trust, Co.

What Itasca Bank & Trust Co. is today can be found in the heritage of two families; the Franzens and the Menschings. H.H. Franzen came to Itasca in 1888. Two years later, he found his real vocation when he teamed up with two brothers to open their first bank. Over the next half-century, “Franzen” banks sprang up in many surrounding towns. H. H. was a founder of the Roselle State Bank in 1903, and The Itasca State Bank in 1916. He is said to have been involved in founding over a dozen suburban banks. H.H.’s banking acumen was reflected by the fact that both the Itasca and Roselle banks survived the Great Depression.

In 1948 Itasca State Bank moved to Bensenville where there had not been a bank since 1933. H.H.’s son Elmer then founded The Itasca State Bank (the current bank) to replace the old Itasca State Bank. In 1978 The Itasca State Bank became known as Itasca Bank & Trust Co. when it added a Trust Department.