In 1873, a humble bank began serving customers from a corner inside Crosser & Chandler Grocery on Hartford Avenue in Farragut, Iowa. That small operation would eventually grow into what we now know as First Heritage Bank, a cornerstone of strength and trust for three generations and over 150 years. With deep roots in Southwest Iowa and an enduring commitment to the community, First Heritage Bank has seen countless transformations—beginning as the Exchange Bank of Crosser & Rogers and later earning its national charter in 1903 as First National Bank of Farragut. The bank expanded to Shenandoah in 1996 and adopted its current name, First Heritage Bank, when it became state-chartered in 2012. Yet through every change, it has remained locally owned, independent, and dedicated to serving its neighbors across Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska.
At the heart of First Heritage Bank’s story is the Henstorf family’s remarkable 116-year legacy. Since Kurt Henstorf’s grandfather joined the bank as a teller, the Henstorf name has been synonymous with service, stability, and stewardship. For 78 of these years, a Henstorf has held the role of president, guiding the bank through historic events with a personal commitment to community and customer needs. While Kurt Henstorf initially pursued a career in medicine, his love for finance—and a powerful sense of duty to the family legacy—drew him back to Farragut. “It wasn’t just about a career,” Kurt reflects, “it was about carrying forward a legacy of service.” His dedication to First Heritage Bank exemplifies the Henstorfs’ commitment to preserving local, community-focused banking.
Stories of Resilience and Community Ties
Over the years, the Henstorfs have led the bank through extraordinary moments. During the farm crisis of the 1980s, Kurt took bold steps to secure the bank’s future, keeping it independent when many rural banks struggled. In 1969, when three robbers broke into the bank’s vault, the community banded together to support the bank’s recovery. Tales of that incident have become local legend—particularly the “money laundering” story, when employees took damp, smoky bills to a laundromat to dry out,
and a guard with a shotgun watched over the bank until repairs were made.
Another story woven into the Henstorf legacy involves a revolver once owned by Polk Wells, a notorious outlaw linked to Buffalo Bill. Passed down in the family and displayed proudly at the bank, the revolver was among the valuables stolen in the 1969 robbery. Remarkably, years later, a Texas Ranger recovered it and returned it to the bank—a fitting tribute to the Henstorfs’ dedication to preserving both their family history and the bank’s heritage.
Looking Forward with the Henstorf Legacy
As Kurt looks to the future, he has carefully planned for the continued success of First Heritage Bank, ensuring it will stay true to the values of community and integrity that the Henstorf family has championed for over a century. With Mandy Fielder as CEO/CFO and Rusty Hunter as president and senior lender, the bank remains in capable hands. These leaders embody the bank’s principles, working to honor its rich heritage while guiding it into a new era of service.
First Heritage Bank’s 150th anniversary last year was a celebration of more than just time—it was a tribute to generations of trust and support from the communities it serves. Partnering with the Cattlemen’s Association, the bank hosted a community cookout where friends, family, and loyal customers gathered to mark this extraordinary milestone. Even beyond the anniversary year, the bank continues to celebrate its century-and-a-half of service, reflecting on the Henstorfs’ contributions and the role they’ve played in sustaining the bank’s mission.
A Commitment to Community, Then and Now
With a Henstorf at the helm for most of its history, First Heritage Bank has always been more than a financial institution—it has been a family’s promise to its community. As a former president of the Community Bankers of Iowa (CBI) and an advocate for community banking, Kurt Henstorf exemplifies the commitment that has sustained the bank for 150 years. In a landscape where banking often feels impersonal, First Heritage Bank stands as a beacon of trust, service, and family legacy—a tradition of community banking that the Henstorfs have kept strong for more than a century.