First National Bank in Albuquerque

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1933 - 1975

BiographyThe First National Bank in Albuquerque was founded in 1933 with a capital of $500,000. It succeeded the First National Bank of Albuquerque. It was housed in downtown Albuquerque at 217-223 Central Avenue. Located on North Third Street and West Central Avenue, Albuquerque's First National Bank, built just over a decade after New Mexico achieved statehood, pioneered financial institutions in the state and symbolized the beginning of significant economic stability. Built in 1923, the building was a nine-story building completed in 1923 and was considered the city's first skyscraper with an overall height of 141 feet (43 m). In addition to the bank, the building housed offices for other businesses. Gaining significant notoriety for supporting local industries, the bank grew to finance real estate expansions and was involved in infrastructure developments. Despite the economic downturn preceding and during the Great Depression, the bank remained intact and fostered economic recovery. Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, the service it provided evolved as the bank began to include more modern banking technology and faced a shift due to a rising population in the state. Following the post-WWII economic upturn, the bank opened its new headquarters in the new First Plaza Building during the mid-1970s. Serving as a cultural and historical landmark, symbolizing economic stability, and influencing regional banking, Albuquerque's First National Bank characterized New Mexico's beginning and played an integral part in Albuquerque's legacy.

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