Our History

Not many businesses launched in 1915 are still around today. So what's the secret to our success? It's really no secret. At Farmers & Merchants Bank, we've always focused on first-rate service. We've had the best interests of our local communities at heart. And we've worked every day to earn the trust of the individuals and small businesses who make this part of Alabama special. Whether you've banked with us for decades or have just recently come aboard, we say, simply, "Thank you!"

In 1915, Charley N. Thompson founded Farmers & Merchants Bank. His aim was to provide our community with a bank that would be responsive to the financial needs of families and business owners largely ignored by bigger-city banks.

Farmers & Merchants Bank embraced the notions of exceptional personal service and comprehensive financial solutions as the foundation of our mission. We've continued to focus on these goals while growing into a solid, strong financial entity that everyone can rely on.

The day we first opened our doors for business in Piedmont, we did so with $15,000 in assets. Since then, we have seen the Great Depression, World Wars, and even the Financial Crisis.

We opened our first branch in Anniston in 1989, and continued to increase our footprint in Calhoun County with additional branches in Jacksonville in 1995 and Oxford in 1998. We opened the doors to a new facility in Piedmont in 2009. Our next move took us outside of Calhoun County as we opened our first Loan Production Office in Centre in 2018. In 2023 we opened a full service branch in Centre to be able to serve the Cherokee County community.

We have always held true to Mr. Thompson's original goal; however, he never could have imagined a customer checking their balance or making a deposit without coming in the bank. Farmers & Merchants Bank has grown and prospered because we have never failed to honor our commitment to service, solutions, and strength. Ours is truly a tradition of excellence…since 1915.