Our History

Ledyard National Bank

In September 1989, a group of eleven prominent civic and business leaders was formed to discuss the feasibility of opening a new community bank in the Upper Valley. This was in response to the changes in the local banking scene that resulted from long-established community banks being sold and merged into larger regional financial institutions. At that September meeting, the group decided to embark on establishing a new community bank whose trademark would be providing personal, responsive and efficient services to businesses and individuals in Hanover and neighboring towns.

During the remainder of 1989, all of 1990 and into 1991, the group was busy applying to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a bank charter, and negotiating for and renovating a home for the bank in a historic building at 38 South Main Street in Hanover. They also were beginning the process of hiring employees to staff the bank.

The bank was opened on May 22, 1991 with one location and 12 employees. The employees were hand-picked with experience in both community and large banks, many of whom were anxious to return to the community bank environment. When the bank opened its doors, it had a full array of products and services including commercial, residential, retail loans and deposit products.

Care was taken to ensure that the bank's location, architectural style, quality of employees, and composition of community-based board members, all resulted in a strategic mix designed to capture a share of the Upper Valley banking market - a market that was ready for community banking at its best.

To better serve the communities' banking needs, expanding geographical coverage became a priority for the bank:

• In 1992, a drive-up office on the corner of Lebanon and Park Streets in Hanover, NH was opened
• In 1994, offices were opened in Lyme, NH and Norwich, VT
• In 1997 an office was opened in West Lebanon, NH
• In 1999, a small banking and investment & trust office was opened in New London, NH. Quickly outgrowing that space within two years, a newly constructed two-story full service office was opened.
• In 2001, a highly visible new office on Route 120 in Lebanon, NH was opened
• In 2016, an office was opened in Concord, NH. The office initially focused on wealth management, and soon grew to incorporate traditional banking products for individuals and businesses.
• In 2020, an additional office was opened on Main Street in Concord as a dedicated financial center.

In addition to the original Founding Advisory Board that consisted of 29 of the area's most prominent leaders in business, academia and medicine, as each new banking office was opened, Ledyard National Bank established a community board comprised of individuals who work and live in the community where the new office was located. Through these board members, the bank was able to be in touch with each community to ensure that we were meeting the needs and requirements of those residents. 

Ledyard Private Banking

Ledyard's Private Banking, a division of Ledyard National Bank that was launched in 2014, delivers tailored banking and financial solutions that are customized to each client's unique needs.  We bring a higher level of personal and consultative service to professionals, their practices and their families. 

Ledyard Financial Advisors

Ledyard’s Investment and Trust Services Division was established in 1994 and was designed to provide outstanding investment management, trust and custody services. In 2007, the division evolved into the premier wealth management firm providing integrated investment, tax and wealth management services to affluent individuals, families and institutions throughout the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee and Concord Regions.  It was re-named Ledyard Financial Advisors to better reflect its new mission. 

In January of 2008, to allow for growth and visibility, the Ledyard Financial Advisors group moved its office location from the third floor of Main Street, Hanover to its own building on Maple Street, Hanover.  The Ledyard National Bank Executive Offices moved into the building on Maple Street later that year.