About
Farmers State Bank—Our Roots
Farmers State Bank, headquartered in Pittsfield, IL , has been locally owned since 1889 and remains one of the strongest banks in the nation. Farmers State Bank is ranked the number one bank in agriculture in its market areas of Pike, Scott, Greene, Jersey, Morgan and Adams Counties.
On January 26, 1889, just fourteen days after the State Banking law went into effect; the Pittsfield Bank was established and became the first Illinois bank to be chartered under the new banking law. Ross Matthews, grandson of Colonel Ross was one of the founders. The first year of business was successful and the bank enjoyed a $1,614.07 profit! On June 13, 1891 the Pittsfield Bank’s name was changed to Farmers State Bank, the first bank in Illinois to be known as Farmers State Bank.
Success has continued through the years with a direct descendent of Colonel and Edna Ross being involved in the bank. Earl Grigsby, who joined the bank in 1908 married Helen Lewis a grand-daughter of Colonel and Edna Ross in 1909. Earl’s son, Lewis, also became employed at the bank as did his son, Lewis Jr. Lewis Grigsby Jr’s son, Nevin is also with the bank, as the current President and 4th generation to lead the bank.
Farmers State Bank—Present Day
Farmers State Bank has 71 employees, serving our customers from six branch locations— Hull, Winchester, White Hall, Jerseyville, and two branches in Pittsfield—reaching a geographic span of 70 miles.
With over 127 years of combined agricultural lending experience, we are experts in the field. Farmers State Bank also holds a five-star rating, the highest ranking a bank can receive, by Bauer Financial, Inc., which is based on the overall financial picture of the institution.