LAYTON — First National Bank’s Layton location has something to be excited about for the rest of the year.

And it’s only January.

During Friday night’s Davis Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet, the bank was awarded the 2009 Legacy Award “for more than 100 years of quality financial service to Davis County families and businesses,” said John Pitt, president, in the Chamber’s press release.

Brad Wilson, named as the Chamber’s newest Chair for the year, said it was an honor to be presenting the award to the bank.

“They have served the community so well over their century of existence,” he said. “They have shown themselves to be profound leaders in the Davis County community, both to other businesses as well as the individuals around them and the residents of Layton City and elsewhere.”

The bank’s history goes back to 1905, when it was first opened by three locals around 50 West Gentile Street in what is now Layton. It was a small white building that served very few, but already started building a reputation and a plan for success.

Lawrence Ellison, considered to be the first employee of the bank, was already a well-known financial advisor at the time of the opening.

“Ellison, along with his other business partners, went on to continue their successes in serving the community well,” said Wilson. “To this day they are considered one of the premiered banks to do business with.

“Whether it’s for a business or for personal matters, they have shown that they are able to succeed through even the toughest of times.”

Currently, the bank has expanded to seven branches total, that now include more than 100 employees spread across Davis County, Salt Lake City, and elsewhere.

The Legacy Award began in 1999 created after a tree that was planted by two Mormon pioneers back in 1847. The pioneers, named William and Hester Balinger, planted the tree to symbolize a new beginning, and swore that it would bear fruit for all visitors.

When the tree died in 1999, the Legacy Award trophy was created from that tree and given to the outstanding business that had changed the community for the better.

Last year, the original tree had just enough left to offer one last award made from tree. It was presented to Dick Andrew of Lagoon.

John Jones, the current President and CEO of First National Bank, was present to receive the award that night on behalf of the more than 100 employees.

“This award was meant to show how important businesses are to the Davis County area,” said Pitt. “Their growth and service to the community has been a staple for more than 100 years, and we hope that they will be around for another 100 years of success.”

sgillet@davisclipper.com