History of Farmers & Merchants State Bank (2024)

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1897

Farmers & Merchants Bank (now F&M Bank) is a community bank and has remained community focused since 1897. The Bank’s first office was a single room located in the Vernier Hotel Building, currently occupied by the Archbold Barber Shop in Archbold, Ohio.

1907

The Bank’s first structure was built on the corner of Depot and North Defiance Streets. The bank was heralded as one of the most unusual and attractive banks in the area, featuring a marble interior, brass-trimmed teller cages, tile floor, leaded windows, and a high-vaulted ceiling.

1919

The founding directors elected to change from a private bank to a state-chartered bank and at this time changed its name from Farmers & Merchants Bank to The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (now F&M Bank) as required in the state charter.

1958

The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (now F&M Bank) moved to N. Defiance Street, greatly improving service to its customers and offering drive-up banking, electronic bookkeeping, convenient parking and a social room for the community to use.

1969

With resources over $23 million in 1969, The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (now F&M Bank) again realized the need for additional space and inaugurated a building expansion, which nearly doubled the original structure built in 1958 in Archbold, Ohio.

1985

In 1985, the conversion of the former bank, The Farmers & Merchants State Bank, into a holding company structure was performed to provide greater flexibility for expanding the bank’s business into activities closely related to banking.

1994

1994 was a very special year for The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (now F&M Bank). Earnings were very strong, asset quality remained outstanding and the bank expanded its presence within its market area.

1996

In June of 1996, Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (the bank holding company for The Farmers & Merchants State Bank) split its stock, 5 for 1. The goal was to bring the price per share down so it would be more affordable and possibly encourage trading.

2002

Construction of the new Farmers & Merchants (“F&M”) Operations Center began on Clyde’s Way in Archbold, Ohio.

2007

The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (“F&M”) made its first acquisition when it purchased Knisely Bank based in Butler, Indiana. Knisely Bank had offices in Auburn, Butler and St. Joe, Indiana at the time.

2016

A significant time in Farmers & Merchants (“F&M”) history as the Bank passes the billion-dollar barrier in assets.

2017

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. announced its listing on NASDAQ (FMAO) and was added to the ABA NASDAQ Community Bank Index.

2018

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp agreed to acquire Limberlost Bancshares’ base in Geneva, Indiana.

2019

The Bank added offices in Berne, Decatur, Geneva, Monroe, Monroeville and Portland, adding Adams and Jay Counties in Indiana to the F&M footprint.

2020

The Bank purchased the assets and clients of Adams County Financial Resources located in Geneva, Indiana. “F&M” also opened three Loan Production Offices located in Oxford, Ohio and Muncie and West Bloomfield, Indiana.

2021

The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (now F&M Bank) announces the acquisition of Ossian Financial Services, Inc., adding two offices in Ossian and Bluffton, Indiana. F&M also announced its second acquisition of the year, Perpetual Federal Savings Bank of Urbana, adding one office in Urbana, Ohio.

2022

The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (now F&M Bank) celebrates its 125thAnniversary and completes the acquisition of Peoples Federal Savings and Loan Association, adding 3 new offices to the F&M footprint in Anna, Jackson Center and Sidney, Ohio.

2023

The Farmers & Merchants State Bank officially celebrates as an ever-evolving entity by publicly converting its logo and name to F&M Bank. In this same year, the Bank opened several additional offices including a downtown Toledo, Ohio office and a downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana office, to open in the Fall of 2023.

1897

Community focused since 1897.

1907

The first new structure was built on the corner of Depot and North Defiance Streets.

1919

1958

1969

1985

The Bank converts into a holding company structure to provide greater flexibility.

1994

1996

2002

Construction of the new Operations Center began on Clyde's Way in Archbold.

2007

2016

2017

Officially listed on the NASDAQ.

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

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History of Farmers & Merchants State Bank (2024)

FAQs

History of Farmers & Merchants State Bank? ›

1897. Farmers & Merchants Bank (now F&M Bank) is a community bank and has remained community focused since 1897. The Bank's first office was a single room located in the Vernier Hotel Building, currently occupied by the Archbold Barber Shop in Archbold, Ohio.

Where did Farmers and Merchants Bank start? ›

Its original location was at the Pico Building, on Main Street, between what is now US 101 and Temple, roughly at the site of the Triforium. The Farmers and Merchants Bank was the first incorporated bank in Los Angeles, founded in 1871 by Isaias W.

Who is the founder of F&M bank? ›

F&M Bank has grown slowly and safely since 1907, earning its reputation as “California's Strongest.” At a time when the instability of the market caused great unease among investors, founder C.J. Walker solidified the credibility of the family name by reassuring frightened depositors that their money was safe.

Who did F&M bank merge with? ›

Central Bancshares Inc., a community bank holding company based in Muscatine, announced that it has merged two of its subsidiaries, Galesburg, Ill. -based F&M Bank and Muscatine-based CBI Bank & Trust.

What is the origin of the merchant bank? ›

History. Merchant banks were the first modern banks. They emerged in the Middle Ages from the Italian grain and cloth merchants community and started to develop in the 11th century during the large European fair of St. Giles (England), then at the Champagne fairs (France).

What was the old name of First Merchants Bank? ›

In 1991, the company completed the acquisition of First United Bank (Middletown, Ind.) and then renamed The Merchants National Bank to First Merchants Bank later the same year. The name change matched that of the holding company, and more importantly, it allowed for a distinct identity within the market and beyond.

Who did farmers bank merge with? ›

TowneBank (Nasdaq: TOWN) announced today the completion of its merger with Farmers Bankshares, Inc. and its subsidiary, Farmers Bank, Windsor, Virginia.

Who is the CEO of First Farmers and Merchants Bank? ›

First Farmers & Merchants Bank was formed in 1987 by President/CEO Brian Short when, during the “Farm Crisis” of the 1980's, he bought a small bank with locations in Luverne and Pipestone, Minnesota from one of the largest banks in the upper Midwest.

What kind of bank is F&M bank? ›

F&M bank is a small, local bank mainly centralized in Modesto, California, 95358.

Is F&M bank insured? ›

FDIC Insurance coverage is an important benefit of banking with Farmers & Merchants Bank. You can rest assured that your deposits are safe and secure.

How big is F&M bank assets? ›

F&M Bank is financially strong, with over $5.2 billion in assets, and is consistently recognized as one of the nation's safest banks by national bank rating firms. View our Safe & Secure page for more information and links to our ratings.

Who is the CEO of F&M bank Tennessee? ›

CLARKSVILLE, TN – F&M Bank, a leading community bank in Tennessee and Kentucky, is pleased to announce the appointment of John Peck as its new Chief Executive Officer. Peck, who currently serves as the bank's President, has been chosen by the Board of Directors to lead the bank into its next phase of success.

What are the values of Farmers and Merchants Bank? ›

For more than 100 years, Farmers & Merchants Bank has held fast to the core values of Honesty, Integrity, the Home, the Church, and Service Above Self.

What is the difference between a bank and a merchant bank? ›

Merchant banks specialize in providing services for private corporations. Unlike retail or commercial banks, merchant banks do not typically provide financial services to the general public. Unlike investment banks, they focus on private companies not public companies.

Do merchant banks still exist? ›

A large investment bank also runs an internal private equity division that it calls “merchant banking.” This PE division operates independently and does not invest in the bank's clients. A large investment bank has partial ownership in an external private equity firm, and it labels these activities “merchant banking.”

Who bought Merchants Bank? ›

Bank of Commerce Holdings acquired the bank in December 2018. Bank of Commerce has unified all of its banks under the name Merchants Bank of Commerce.

Why did many farmers and merchants dislike the Bank of the United States? ›

Some, especially in the trans-Appalachian West, were suspicious of banks because they distrusted the paper money issued by them and because banks controlled credit and loans. To them, the Bank of the United States was the worst of them all: a greedy monopoly dominated by the rich American and foreign interests.

Where was the first banking house? ›

President Washington signed the bill into law in February 1791. The Bank of the United States, now commonly referred to as the first Bank of the United States, opened for business in Philadelphia on December 12, 1791, with a twenty-year charter.

Who did Merchants Bank merge with? ›

Merchants Bank is merging with SouthPoint Bank, but it's the advantages to customers that got huge. Two of the top community banks in the state combining forces to create one stronger $1 billion asset bank has a lot of banking advantages.

Where did the banking industry start? ›

The origins of banking can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia, around 2000 BCE, where the first known form of lending took place. Temples, often considered the earliest banks, served as repositories for valuable items and grain, and priests would lend these resources to local farmers and merchants.

References

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