Text: Per Erling Bakke

Adapted and translated into English by Ivar Teigum

Sell sparebank, the local savings bank, moved into premises of its own in the Main Street west of the railway line in 1957.

From Jauary 1908 Vågå Local Authority was split into three administrative units, one of them being what became Sel Local Authority.

Within not more than one and a half years the community had its own savings bank, Sell sparebank, approved by king and government.

The bank started in the Havnstad House, also known as Pillarguri Café, further down the Main street.

In the first opening week accounts were established by six customers, amounting in all to 1025 kroner. At the end of the first year the bank had 25 accounts of altogether 4000 kroner. After a day’s work the cashier would take money, documents and accuntbooks packed in his rucksack to his home until the next opening day one week later.

Sell savings bank was merged with other local banks in the late 1970s, and its bank offices at Otta were eventually closed in the 2010s.

The first building that the bank bought, was demolished and replaced in 1957.

The new premises from 1957 had a modern interior design and security measures.

The bank premises in the years 1923–28 belonged to the private firm Sell Telephone Company.