Denali State Bank was founded by a local leader, Gary Roth, who sought to create a bank that excelled in customer service. Despite the tumultuous times of the mid-1980s, when many banks were shutting down, several bankers believed in Gary s vision. These bankers left their present jobs and teamed together to start a bank with the mission of always putting the customer first. Nearly 50 investors pooled their financial resources together to found Denali State Bank. All of the stockholders were from the interior and understood the Fairbanks, Alaska, community. The vacant St. Joseph s Hospital building, centrally located downtown on the Chena River, was selected as the main office. .