Bank of the James was founded in 1999 in Lynchburg, Virginia, by local organizers who observed an industry trend of community banks being aggressively acquired by large mega-corporations. The founders sought to combat the erosion of personalized customer service and localized decision-making that often accompanied massive bank mergers. Over the decades, the institution has grown into a premier regional community bank, emphasizing local relationship banking, transparent financial solutions, and extensive philanthropic support for hundreds of civic organizations, youth initiatives, and non-profits across its operating footprint.