124 Years of Farmers Bank

1900 - Founding of Farmers Bank of Unionville
Farmers Bank of Unionville was founded in 1900 in Unionville, Missouri, with $15,000 and nine original stockholders. The bank was located at the northeast corner of the square in 1902 but was moved to the northwest corner in 1909. 

At the beginning of the Great Depression, there were 12 banks located in Putnam County.  However, Farmers Bank was the only bank to survive the Depression. 

1953 - A New Bank Building
In 1953 a new bank building was constructed, which is still utilized today.

1966 - Modern Accommodations
The bank added a drive-up window and lane in 1966, along with a night deposit safe, and an outdoor walk-up window on the front of the building so customers could easily conduct their business from the sidewalk.

Early 1980's - A Progressive Bank
As a progressive bank, a huge in-house computer system was installed in the early 1980's. Prior to that, all bank transactions were handwritten each time a deposit or withdrawal was made to accounts, and also for all loan transactions. 

1986 - Second Location Opened in Mercer, MO
After surviving the agriculture crisis and droughts of the early 1980's, Farmers Bank was the first bank in the State of Missouri to establish a branch outside of its home county with the opening of the Mercer facility in 1986.

1990 - Purchase of First National Bank of Bethany
In 1990 the purchase of First National Bank of Bethany in Bethany, MO, was made, and later on was merged into Farmers Bank.

1992 - Pivotal Expansion
The year 1992 saw the purchase of the Trenton, MO banking facility for Farmers Bank. Also in 1992, the bank expanded the stockholder base from 30 to 140 community stockholders, further cementing the spirit of an independent community bank. With growth to a larger geographic area, the bank's official name was changed to Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri.

1995 - ATM Technology
In 1995, Farmers Bank started to issue ATM cards and installed the first ATM machine in Unionville.

1996 - Making History
The year 1996 made Farmers Bank the first Missouri bank to also have a branch in Iowa with the opening of our Centerville, IA location in Appanoose County.

2000 - 6th Location
Farmers Bank purchased the First National Bank in Gallatin, MO, in the year 2000, making it our sixth location. 

2006 - Building & Branch Additions
The Unionville main office had a large addition built in 2006 to accommodate the need for more offices. The addition replaced a collapsed store building that had previously resided there.

2006 also marked the creation of the new bank branch in Leon, IA, to serve the banking needs of Decatur County.

2011 - Farmers Risk Management
The bank experienced another first in 2011, by establishing Farmers Risk Management – an extension that offers Crop and Livestock Risk Protection Insurance for farmers and ranchers.

2016 - Acquisition of Bethany & Cainsville Facilities
In 2016 Farmers Bank acquired Flowers National Bank in Bethany and Cainsville, MO, and our downtown office in Bethany was moved to the current location along Highway 136, for a total of eight branches in northern Missouri and southern Iowa. 

2022 - New to Jamesport, MO
In late 2022 a new Farmers Bank facility was established in Jamesport, MO.

2023 - More Growth & Big Decisions 
A newly constructed branch opened in Princeton, MO, in August 2023 just off Highway 136. Shortly after the expansion was celebrated, a decision was made to close the small Cainsville, MO, office, and employees were transferred nearby. In December 2023, the latest branch office announced its grand opening in the heart of Corydon, Wayne County, Iowa, which helped bridge the gap between branches in Appanoose and Decatur Counties along the southern Iowa border. 

Looking Back to Push Ahead

Throughout the history of Farmers Bank, there have been 12 Presidents/Chairmen:

• William H. Holman
• G. Everett McCutchen
• L. S. K. McCutchen
• H. L. Holman
• Dr. J. H. Holman
• Henry Gardner
• Ailey Williams
• John Gardner
• Lindley Holman
• Gary Tribble
• David Tribble, served as the President and CEO from 1994-2024
• In May, 2024, Darrin VanBibber became President, and David Tribble retains the CEO position

Today, Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri is a strong, thriving bank with 10 locations and 11 ATM’s throughout five counties in northern Missouri and three counties in southern Iowa. The bank now holds more than $500,000,000 in assets and employs nearly 100 local men and women who are dedicated to meeting the banking needs of our friends, neighbors and fellow community members.

With roots that run 124 years deep, we appreciate our past and look forward to the future, as we continue to cultivate growth amongst our Midwest rural communities, together.

Additional Accolades:

• • 1993 - Named the #1 Agriculture Community Bank in the United States by American Banker Magazine
  • 1995 - Created Putnam County Community Development Corporation to foster business development and jobs in Putnam County
  • 1995 - Gary Tribble served as Chairman of Missouri Bankers Association - the first Putnam County resident to do so
  • 1996 - David Tribble served on the American Bankers Association National Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee - the first in Missouri for decades