Talking to Jimmy Dismuke in the 1990s at Valley Bank/Bank One


When the Valley Bank Marketing Department moved back into the building downtown in 1992, I was thrilled. I had been happy working at Corporate Center, near Fajitas, which was very close to my apartment at the Greens, but working downtown in the big tower was a thrill for me. I like tall buildings, and I liked the history of Valley Bank. So it's not surprising that I would make an appointment to talk to Jimmy Dismuke.

If you've never heard of him, that's not surprising. I thought I had a photo of him, but I guess I don't. He was really one of the big "movers and shakers" at Valley Bank after World War II. Valley Bank, and Arizona, did very well in that time period, as I'm sure you know. It was a time of explosive growth for the valley, and Valley Bank was there the whole way, giving out loans, usually on just a handshake.

I really don't know how old Jimmy was when I met him, but I'm thinking early 90s. He really didn't have much to say about Valley Bank history, but it was nice to shake his hand. I'm not very good at math, but according to my calculations he was in his forties in the 1940s, 50s in the 1950s, and saw some incredible things in Phoenix.

If you're wondering how and why we met, it's because my interest in Phoenix history, and Valley Bank history (which is really the same thing), goes way back. I would ask around, and see if the old-timers would talk to me. I guess those people were about the same age that I am now, and probably wouldn't appreciate being called "old-timers".

Jimmy had a big office in Valley Center (now called Chase Tower). My understanding is that this is what he asked for when he retired. He even had a secretary. Of course, he had nothing to do all day, and hadn't had anything to do for decades, but he still came to work every day, right on time, wearing a suit. I had to wonder if the days seemed long for his secretary? She scheduled his lunches with the big-wigs.

I really do wish that I could tell you that Jimmy told me great stories, or secrets of Valley Bank, but he didn't. He was definitely pleased to have a visitor (I imagined that not many people visited his office), he gave me his time, let me sit there with him, and then it was over. But I met him, spoke to him, shook his hand, and made a real connection with Phoenix history that way.

Thank you, Jimmy!

Image at the top of this post: 1957 ad for Valley Bank.
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