History

The Farmers State Bank and Trust Company has been proudly serving the Morgan County Community for over 100 years.

The Farmers State Bank and Trust Company was organized in 1910 under a charter issued by the State of Illinois. Upon subscribing the necessary capital, a group of prominent businessmen and farmers in the Morgan County Community officially opened the bank for business on January 4, 1911. The original officers of the Bank were Arthur L. French, President; D. Rees Browning, Vice President; and Frank J. Heinl, Cashier.

Arthur L. French served as President until his death in 1920 and was succeeded by A. C. Rice, who served in that capacity until his death in 1939. At that time, Arthur Joy French (son of Arthur L. French) was elected President and continued in that position until 1975. Jan F. Blue served as President from 1975 to 1998 and continues serving on the Board of Directors today. Currently, Joy French Becker (daughter of Arthur J. French) serves as President and Chairman of the Board. This family tradition continues into the fourth generation to carry on the commitment to Morgan County and the Jacksonville community. Joy’s daughters, Kristan Becker Hoffman and Elizabeth French Becker serve as Executive Vice Presidents and were elected to the Board of Directors in 2003.

The business of The Farmers State Bank and Trust Company grew as the community prospered. In July of 1941, the Bank moved to its current location at 200 West State Street, a building which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This site, formally known as the Ayers National Bank Building, has been associated with banking longer than any other site in Illinois. In 1976, the Bank opened a Full-Service Branch on West Morton Road in Jacksonville. Both the 200 West State Street and 1718 West Morton Avenue locations continue in operation today.

As The Farmers State Bank and Trust Company has grown and expanded, it has continually updated its banking services and systems. Similarly, as the financial needs within the community have changed, the services have been expanded and improved to meet the ever-changing needs of the customer base.