Banner Press was founded in the post-depression years of the 1940s, by Wilbur Helmbold and his wife Neola. Wilbur used his connections as head librarian at Samford University (then Howard College) to attract some of the post-war south’s leading literary talent to publish under the imprint of his new press. With Neola’s help, the couple maintained Banner Press as a small, but widely respected outlet for up and coming writers who were unable to attract the notice of the impersonal multi-national conglomerates, thus affording them the opportunity of disseminating their work among a wider audience than would otherwise be available.

In addition, established authors who wished to publish small editions of works outside of their usual arena, looked to Banner Press to handle the projects with skill and dedication.

After Wilbur’s death, Neola continued to helm Banner Press on a reduced production schedule, though the books continued to be of top-notch literary quality and superb workmanship.

In the late 1990s, she decided to retire at the age of 85. Rather than let the company close, she sold it to the current owners. The company now consists of four family members; parents Troyce and Jolinda, and their two sons, Brandon and Nicholas. Since the late 1990s, they have all striven to maintain the quality and friendly atmosphere expected from such a venerable and respected company.