Valley National Bank trailer banking in 1960, Phoenix, Arizona


Thanks to the nice people at Life Magazine, who posted this pic (which is for personal, non-commercial use only - be warned) and some amazing detective work by my top history adventurer (who prefers to remain anonymous), we can time-travel to 1960 and do some trailer banking in Phoenix, Arizona.

The exact location of this photo is 37th Street and Thomas, at a shopping center that was once called Tower Plaza (the tower it was named after is still there, by the way), and we're looking at Valley National Bank's latest effort to try to keep up with the exploding population of Phoenix.


My eye goes immediately to the beautiful little Triumph TR3, a car that I've always wanted to own. Look! It's a drive-through! I don't know the exact year of the car, but if you do, or if you can tell me more about the other cars in this pic, please do.


That's an El Rancho Market back there, which I remember from my days at ASU in the 1980s. I have fond memories of those days...

Where was I? Oh yeah, trailer banking. You know, I can't help but think that the security for this particular branch had to be very limited. They had to have a lot of cash (people used a lot of cash in those days), and presumably there was a sturdy safe, and a security guard with an eagle eye, and maybe a bullet in his pocket.


The lady in the foreground reminds me of how my mom used to dress in the 1960s. I was alive then, but just barely, but I wasn't in Phoenix yet, so don't look for me. The man in the suit looks like he's talking on a cell phone, but of course he's not, since it's only 1960, he's probably just scratching his head wondering where he parked his car. Speaking of which, can anyone tell me what make and model that car is on the right?

By the way, on a personal note, I started working for Valley Bank in 1989, and was there when it transitioned into Bank One in '92. It's been Chase now since 2002, but I still tend to find myself saying Bank One, it's a hard habit to break. It must have been even harder for people who had grown up with Valley Bank, which had been around for many, many generations of Arizonans.

Have bank, will travel!
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