In Searsport, early financial business was conducted in counting houses until the growth of commerce and industry in the mid 19th century created the need for a bank. On August 1, 1853, Jeremiah Merithew organized the Searsport Bank, which was probably located on the second floor of the Merithew Block on the corner of Leach Street. It issued its own paper notes until it closed. The next bank, the Searsport National Bank, was organized in 1891 and occupied a newly constructed building that remains largely unchanged, with the original vault still on site. After several ownerships, the bank moved in 1979 into larger accommodations across the street.