OUR STORY

At Sovereign Bank, our story begins long before we opened our doors. We are proudly owned by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) – one of the largest Native American tribes in the United States, with a rich history of resilience, community strength, and economic vision.

The Potawatomi people are part of the Algonquian language family and trace their ancestral roots to the Great Lakes region. Through centuries of displacement, forced relocation, and federal policy changes – from the Removal Period to the Land Run of 1891 – the Citizen Potawatomi demonstrated enduring strength, ultimately establishing new communities near present-day Shawnee, Oklahoma.

From these roots, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation has built a diverse and growing network of enterprises designed to support tribal self-sufficiency and long-term prosperity. In 1984, CPN acquired what was then First Oklahoma Bank, beginning a new chapter of empowerment through financial services. That bank would evolve into First National Bank & Trust Co., and in 2023, proudly became Sovereign Bank.

Today, Sovereign Bank is more than a financial institution. We are a mission-driven partner committed to creating financial stability and opportunity – for families, for businesses, and for future generations. With every account opened and every loan approved, we carry forward a legacy of thoughtful leadership and community-first values.

As the largest tribally owned bank in the U.S., we believe in financial solutions that reflect the values of the people we serve: strength, trust, and vision for the future.

Learn more about our ownership and heritage at www.potawatomiheritage.org.