AVB Breaks Ground

AVB Bank celebrates the new downtown branch opening in 2015.

AVB Bank recently held groundbreaking ceremonies celebrating the newest chapter in their 109-year history. A 15,000-square-foot AVB branch will be constructed at Main and El Paso and will open in 2015. Dr. Clarence Oliver, former Broken Arrow superintendent of schools, gave a fascinating history of the growth and development of Broken Arrow and the role AVB Bank has played in supporting the community since its inception in 1905. Oklahoma gained statehood in 1907, and the bank was granted its state charter in 1909, changing its name to Arkansas Valley State Bank. It is now known as AVB Bank.

AVB Bank has a history of strength, stability and service. They have a solid backbone, having survived the Dust Bowl era, wars, and economic fluctuations over the years. AVB has remained constant to its commitment to the people of Broken.  “We have endured and grown together,” said Kelley Rash, Chairperson of the Board. “The new AVB Bank will be situated in the heart of the new Rose District, and we are looking forward to growing together.”

It takes time, grit, determination and perseverance to build stability and AVB has spent over a century establishing a solid foundation with the people and businesses of our city. “We’re proud to call Broken Arrow home,” added Ms. Rash. “We’re dedicated to continuing our hard work and providing services that will make business relationships even stronger.”

The mission of AVB is to serve, connect and succeed together, ensuring a vision of being the community bank most admired for its people, partnerships and performance. “We strive to serve with integrity and enjoyment, work together to encourage personal growth, and acknowledge and celebrate success,” said Ms. Rash.

Ted Cundiff, AVB president and CEO, announced the future development of a Creative Arts Center in the existing building located at Main and Dallas. “AVB will donate the property once we have completed our move into the new AVB branch,” said Mr. Cundiff. With the development of Broken Arrow’s arts and entertainment district, previous bond monies earmarked for an arts center, and the opportunity for a significant donation of property by AVB Bank, community and business leaders recognized that now was the time for action. A Creative Arts Center would provide a central place to foster relationships between artists, and the addition to the arts and entertainment district could significantly contribute to the city’s economic development.  

Ms. Rash acknowledged, “Community and business leaders are currently working together, along with public input, to create the vision of a Creative Arts Center. Current considerations include gallery space, a black-box theater, jazz lab, artists-in-residence, recording or filmmaking studio, culinary classes, and space for dance, sculpting, glassblowing and poetry slams. A timeline will be solidified upon the completion of a partnership that creates a funding mechanism for the proposed facility.”

If you would like to provide input on the creation of the Creative Arts Center, please contact local business owner Alisa Inglett at (918) 994-4473.
Congratulations to AVB Bank for its 109-years of outstanding performance, dedication and contributions to the Broken Arrow community.

For more information, contact
AVB Bank
302 S. Main St.
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
(918) 251-9611
www.bankavb.com