Started as Valley National Bank, Chase Bank in Apache Junction marks 50 years

From the archives: From page 11 of the May 4-11, 1993 edition of the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent. The original caption reads: OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW. The sign at the Valley National Bank in Apache Junction — used since the branch opened in 1976 — was removed recently. It will be replaced with one for the company’s new name, Bank One. “Be sure to say she didn’t want to come down,” Beth Brown, local branch banking service specialist, said, referring to the workers’ repeated tries to wrench it from its moorings. They cut the sign post with a torch only to find it was a collar with another post inside. Ms. Brown and two other local branch officials watched as the sign was removed. They were: Rose Thompson, branch manager and Lupe Hermans, customer service manager. The bank’s building has been around since 1976.