Bank of Utah celebrates 60 years in business: bank leaders talk about the bank's roots and what it means to be 'friendly bankers'.

• Position: ANNIVERSARY 1952-2012

Bankers have a bad rap. Or, at the very least, a stuffy one. When Frank Milton Browning, an Ogden business executive, cofounded Bank of Utah in 1952, his goal was to redefine the banking experience for the community. Out with rigid lending structures, exclusive environments and the persona of the cool, impersonal banker. In with relaxed "relationship banking."

When the first Bank of Utah branch opened its doors that December, on Washington Boulevard, just a few doors down from the bank's current main branch location, Browning made his vision a reality. The public was welcomed in for a grand opening celebration, and guests were no doubt surprised to find a lobby that was cozy and inviting, with comfortable seating, a lit fireplace and cheerful staff.

"Bank of Utah takes the chill off old-fashioned banking ideas," an early Bank of Utah advertisement read. This open way of banking turned out to click with the community: deposits surpassed expectation on opening day, and within three months, had reached $4 million. Soon the Bank had branches in Ogden, South Ogden, Ben Lomond and Roy.

Five years into the Bank's history, some of its investors proposed cashing in on their investment and selling the flourishing bank to a larger bank. Browning, who had accepted the role of president, didn't agree. He bought out the other investors in order to preserve the bank's community-based roots.

"My grandfather didn't have a banking background when he was approached to invest in Bank of Utah," says Frank W. Browning, current chairman and CEO of Bank of Utah and grandson of the founder. "He was a local businessman, family man, and humanitarian."

Perhaps Browning's community roots explain why he took a less traditional approach to banking. He may have known that a friendly, accessible and transparent way of doing business would serve as a solid foundation for the community bank.

Today, Bank of Utah offers personal banking, business banking, mortgage & home lending, trust management and investment services throughout the state. It has 13 full-service branches from Logan to Provo, as well as mortgage offices in Price, Logan, South Jordan, St. George and Sandy, and corporate trust teams in Ogden and Salt Lake City. It also recently opened a new business loan center in Logan.

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Going strong after 60 years of business, Bank of Utah's relaxed, customer-focused spirit continues, its leaders say. While it may have grown to a...