9 Hoosier Banker December 2014 In 1995, the bank took its current formal name of United Fidelity Bank, fsb, a.k.a. United Bank. Currently the bank has seven banking centers serving four offices in Evansville, one in Newburgh, one in Mount Vernon and one in Cincinnati. All seven locations were the site of a Nov. 21 centennial celebration, with the public invited for refreshments and giveaways, including a $100 savings account. Continued on page 10. COVER STORY The Indiana Bankers Association takes pride in the longevity of Indiana banks. This year, fully 80 banks headquartered in the Hoosier state stake claim to being in operation 100 years or longer. In this issue of Hoosier Banker, we focus on the three banks which reached their centennial milestone years of service in 2014: Farmers and Merchants Bank, Laotto; United Bank, Evansville; and United Community Bank, Lawrenceburg. Farmers and Merchants Bank, Laotto On Oct. 17, 1914, a group of townspeople in Laotto met at a local schoolhouse and laid plans to sell 150 shares of stock at $100 each to raise funds to start a bank. One of the original stockholders and founder was Harvey Guthrie, whose grandson Thomas L. Guthrie now serves as chairman of the board of Farmers and Merchants Bank. The bank officially was recognized on Oct. 29, 1914, and took up residence in a building shared with a store at a rental rate of $3 per month. Today the bank has branched into the towns of Churubusco, Huntertown and Kendallville, in addition to servicing Laotto. To celebrate its centennial year, Farmers and Merchants Bank sponsored a children’s coloring contest and hosted summertime picnics for customers. United Bank, Evansville United Bank began its existence in November 1914 in downtown Evansville as Fidelity Savings and Loan, established to help members of the community achieve homeownership. Following the Great Depression, the institution adopted a federal charter and took the name of Evansville Federal Savings and Loan. The bank acquired United Savings and Loan in 1976 and converted to a stockholder-owned savings bank in 1987. Indiana Centennial Banks: Celebrating 100 Years of Service Farmers and Merchants Bank, Laotto – past Farmers and Merchants Bank, Laotto – present United Bank, Evansville – past United Bank, Evansville – present
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