In the late 1880s, a hard-working employee of the Eagle & Phenix Mills caught her skirt in a piece of machinery, spilling her life savings to the ground. Realizing she, and others, used the hems of their skirts to safeguard their valuables, the executives offered the protection of the mill vault. Word spread and a majority of the workers asked for the same favor. William Young, G. Gunby Jordan and W.C. Bradley worked closely with the employees to manage their savings accounts.

On Oct. 31,1888, the bank was chartered as the Third National Bank, then on Dec .29, 1888, the Columbus Savings Bank. It had a capital stock of $100,00 with G. Gunby Jordan as resident. In 1890, the two institutions were located jointly at the corner of 12th St and Broadway. In 1930, a formal merger was made under the name of Columbus Bank and Trust company.

G. Gunby Jordan served as president until 1921 when he was succeeded by W.C. Bradley, who served until his death in 1947. J.J. Pease then served until 1957, with James W. Blanchard serving until his death in January 1969. C.W. Curry took over until January 1971 when James H. Blanchard took office.

Many branches opened over the years, the first at Ft. Benning in 1921, followed by the north highlands branch in 1922. 1927 saw the Tenth Street branch and the Fourteenth Street branch open. The Wynnton branch opened in 1953, followed by the Macon Rd and Buena vista Road branches in 1965. Windsor Village followed in 1970 with Forrest and Floyd Road branch soon to follow. The CB&T Operations building was completed in 1971.

In 2007 a statue of the woman who caught her skirt in the machinery, was unveiled to stand in the CB&T Uptown Center Courtyard. “Where it All Began…”