Each year on March 15, Maine Statehood Day invites us to reflect on the people, places, and institutions that have shaped our state since 1820. At Saco & Biddeford Savings, that reflection runs deep. Our story began just seven years after Maine became a state, and for nearly two centuries, we have grown alongside the communities we serve.
As Maine’s longest-serving bank, SBSI has always been rooted in mutual values, answering to our neighbors rather than shareholders and placing people at the center of everything we do. In honor of Maine Statehood Day 2026, we are proud to share not only our history, but also the artifacts on display at our Saco Main Street branch that help bring that history to life.
A Bank Built Alongside a Growing State
We first opened our doors to the public on May 23, 1827, at the Central Hall Block on Main Street in Saco. In 1855, the Bank moved just south of Cataract Bridge, continuing to evolve alongside the region’s growth. By 1907, we established our permanent home at 252 Main Street in Saco, a location we proudly continue to call home today.
From the water-powered mills that once defined the area to the vibrant downtowns of today, the Bank has remained a steady presence. Through the arrival of the telephone, automobile, internet, and even space exploration, our employees and customers have experienced history together, adapting to change while staying grounded in shared values.
The Burroughs Adding Machine: Precision and Progress
Once essential to daily banking operations, the Burroughs adding machine on display at our Saco Main Street branch represents an era when accuracy and attention to detail were powered entirely by human hands. Long before digital calculators and spreadsheets, this machine helped ensure that every transaction was recorded carefully and correctly.
It stands as a reminder that even as technology evolves, our commitment to precision and trust has never changed.
The Vault Door: Security You Can Stand Behind
Our historic bank vault door is a powerful symbol of the responsibility entrusted to Saco & Biddeford Savings from the very beginning. Designed to safeguard customers’ savings and valuables, it reflects the importance of security, reliability, and stewardship — principles that remain central to our mission today.
While modern systems now provide protection in new ways, the vault door reminds us that trust has always been earned through consistency and care.
The Grandfather Clock: Marking Time and Tradition
Standing tall within the branch, the grandfather clock once helped bring rhythm and structure to the workday. In an era before digital timekeeping, it marked the passing hours and provided a shared sense of order.
Today, it serves as a quiet reminder of the many generations who have walked through our doors, each contributing to the Bank’s enduring legacy.
Ledgers and Spectacles: The Human Side of Banking
Among the most personal artifacts on display are Samuel Peirson’s spectacles and an 1839 handwritten ledger. These items offer a glimpse into the careful, human effort behind every transaction. Each handwritten entry represents diligence, responsibility, and a deep respect for customers’ trust.
They remind us that banking has always been about people — listening, understanding, and acting with integrity.
Sharing the Value of Saving: The Christmas Club Promotion
An original 1928 Christmas Club promotional print and its matching metal printing plate offer a glimpse into how Saco & Biddeford Savings once shared seasonal savings messages with the community. At a time when saving for the holidays required intention and discipline, the Christmas Club encouraged neighbors to set aside funds throughout the year in preparation for year-end celebrations.
The printing plate, used to produce the promotional materials, reflects the care and craftsmanship that went into communicating with customers long before digital marketing existed. Together, these artifacts highlight the Bank’s long-standing commitment to helping people plan ahead, build healthy financial habits, and find security in every season of life.
Growing With Our Communities
Across every era, SBSI has stayed true to its founding mission: helping people build secure and fulfilling futures. Whether financing a first home, supporting a local business, or helping a family plan for retirement, we have walked alongside our neighbors through life’s most important milestones.
As a mutual savings bank, our responsibility to the community shapes how we live our mission each day. Our values — caring, integrity, excellence, relationships, and enrichment — guide not only our business decisions, but how we show up for others. Empathy, understanding, and a commitment to continuous improvement are essential to building strong, lasting relationships.
For our employees, this is more than a place to work. It is a shared purpose that inspires connection, engagement, and giving back in meaningful ways.
A Living History, Still Being Written
Biddeford and Saco have transformed over the years into vibrant centers of culture, innovation, and connection, yet their spirit remains unchanged. The resilience, hard work, and care for one another that shaped this region continue to define it today.
As we celebrate Maine Statehood Day 2026, we are reminded that history is not just something to look back on, it is something we carry forward. Preserved in artifacts, reflected in values, and lived out in our communities every day, Saco & Biddeford Savings is proud to be part of Maine’s past, present, and future.
