About Us

Founded by L.A. Libel on May 3, 1903, 39 citizens advanced $10,000 to start the Farmers State Bank. At the tender age of 23, L.A. Libel constituted the entire work force, serving as cashier and manager. Many newspapers of the day speculated that he was the youngest bank manager in the United States.

The original location of the Bank was on the South side of Main Street, formally the Stees Hardware store, now the Flower Peddler.

In 1907 the Bank moved into what was then known as the Fruit Growers Association building on the corner of Main Street, which the Bank later purchased in 1945.

In 1946, L.A. Libel passed away at the age of 67. After having worked for five years at the Federal Land Bank at Wichita, and following three years service in the army in World War II his youngest son, L.A. Libel, Jr., joined the Bank. In 1958 L.A. Libel, Jr. became President and CEO.

On November 7, 1959, the Farmers State Bank merged with the Fruit Growers State Bank and became the largest bank in Doniphan County with nearly $2 million in assets.

On February 14, 1961 the Bank moved across the street to a brand new building at 211 St. Joseph Street, its location still today.

In October of 1967, L.A. Libel, Jr. died unexpectedly at the age of only 53. Having joined the Bank in 1964, his oldest son, L.A. (Tony) Libel, III, immediately assumed his father's leadership duties of President and CEO at the mere age of 25.

The Bank expanded and remodeled in 1993, adding 2,500 square feet to the existing building.

In May of 2003, the Bank celebrated its 100 year anniversary with a week long schedule of activities. During these 100 plus years of uninterrupted service, the Farmers State Bank has survived the Great Depression, World Wars I & II, numerous "police actions," two bank robberies, several droughts, and two devastating floods, all the while being guided by the same founding policies from 1903 of service to the community through sound banking principles.