About

Our History – A Century of Hometown Service

Established in 1909 by F.L. Berry and John Wiley, The Farmers Bank laid the foundation for what later became The Farmers State Bank of West Salem. Six years after its inception, the bank was organized and incorporated, with original directors including prominent individuals such as F.L. Berry, W.H. Horst, N.W. Zimmerman, J.H. Wiley, J.A. Hines, W.S. Zehner, O.B. Dreibelbis, J.L. Van Evera, and S.A. Read. The Farmers State Bank embarked on a journey of growth and expansion, acquiring the Bank of West Salem in 1922, which had been founded by Samuel Wood in 1902. 

During its early years, the bank greatly benefited from the leadership of Charles McBride, who joined in 1919 and dedicated 40 years to the institution. McBride climbed the ranks, starting as an assistant cashier and eventually serving as vice president. In 1947, he became President of the Ohio Bankers Association, leaving an indelible mark on the bank’s success. Bessie (Bahl) McBride, Charles’ wife, also played an integral role, working at Farmers State Bank for an impressive 65 years before retiring in 1975. 

To accommodate its growing operations, the bank constructed new offices, a night depository, and a drive-in window during the 1960s. In 1991, a one bank holding company called Community Independent Bancorp, Inc. was established, resulting in the transition from The Farmers State Bank of West Salem to Farmers State Bank (FSB). 

In 1998, the West Salem location underwent extensive remodeling to optimize available space. The main entrance was relocated from the front to the side, where a modern lobby now greets customers. 

The bank’s commitment to expansion continued in the early 1990s with the addition of new branches to the Farmers State Bank network. These locations include Baney Road in Ashland (1991), East Main Street in Ashland (1998), North Main Street in Marshallville (2005), North Main Street in Rittman (2006), and West Liberty Street in Wooster (2019). 

While we remain dedicated to delivering old-fashioned customer service as a local bank, Farmers State Bank is always evolving to meet the needs of our customers. We have embraced new technologies and integrated changes such as ATMs, telephone banking, and Internet banking with free online bill pay into our services. 

For over a century, Farmers State Bank has proudly served our community, adapting to the times while preserving our commitment to personalized service and customer satisfaction. 

About

Instructions