First National Bank at the Western Mall Undergoing Renovations

If you’ve spent any time cruising around the west side of Sioux Falls over the years, chances are you’ve passed by, or possibly banked at, the First National Bank building tucked into the Western Mall parking lot near Best Buy. That familiar structure is about to look a whole lot different.

One of Sioux Falls’ longest-running bank buildings is officially getting a much-needed facelift this month.

The First National Bank West Mall branch is temporarily closed as crews move forward with a long-planned renovation. According to Pigeon 605, the building was originally constructed in 1968, shortly after the Western Mall opened as South Dakota’s very first shopping mall. Back then, both the mall and the bank sat on what felt like the far edge of town.

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Fast forward to 2026, and that same area now feels more like the geographic heart of Sioux Falls, just another reminder of how much the city has grown over the past 58 years.

For longtime Sioux Falls residents, the Western Mall brings back a flood of memories. I still remember going there as a kid and seeing familiar storefronts like Tempo, Montgomery Ward’s, Bostwick’s, Walgreens, the West Mall Pet Center, and Mother Hubbard’s Kupboard, and right out in the northwest parking lot was First National Bank.

At the time, that location was the very first stand-alone branch of First National Bank in Sioux Falls.

And even decades later, it’s still going strong. Pigeon 605 reports the West Mall branch remains one of First National’s busiest locations, which helps explain why the bank has been talking about a remodel there for nearly 20 years. Now, that long wait is finally happening.

So, what’s changing?

Plenty. The restrooms are being completely remodeled, relocated inside the building, and made fully handicap accessible. The interior layout is getting an update, along with new tile and granite flooring in front of the teller lines. A refreshed color scheme will match the look of the downtown Ninth and Phillips branch and the Benson Road location.

Outside, a few exterior tweaks are planned as well, and the drive-up lanes will also see some adjustments.

The renovations began in late December, and if all goes according to plan, the refreshed West Mall branch of First National Bank is expected to reopen to the public in early February and be ready to serve Sioux Falls for another 58 years!