The National Bank of Smyrna (Smyrna, 1821-1957) was incorporated in 1821 as the Bank of Smyrna. Although its business was targeted to serve the Eastern Shore of Maryland and all of New Castle County south of New Castle, it soon offered strong competition to the Commercial Bank of Delaware at Smyrna (serving northern Kent County). In 1836 it acquired the earlier bank and its branch at Milford, which it subsequently operated as the Office of Discount and Deposit (of the Bank of Smyrna) at Milford. The Bank of Smyrna continued to operate under a state charter until 1878. It applied for and received the national charter under which it operated until the Equitable Security Trust Company acquired it in 1957. Throughout its history, the Bank of Smyrna worked successfully to encourage and abet the development of Smyrna and the surrounding country, adding services and functions as necessary.