F&M Bank | Our History and Our Commitment to You (2024)

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Our Commitment

At F&M Bank, we're dedicated to creating a fulfilling work environment and offering individualized attention to every customer, aiming to solidify our standing as a top-tier community bank. Our commitment is deep-rooted in the principle that decisions should be made close to home, allowing us to reinvest our customers' funds directly back into the communities we cherish.

Our team is passionate about delivering SMART financial solutions tailored precisely to align with both your business aspirations and personal money management preferences. Your Money. Your Decision. Our Support. Banking made easy, with your needs in mind.

Our History

Founded in the quaint town of Bumpus Mills, Tennessee, in 1906, F&M Bank was originally known as Farmers & Merchants Bank. This name laid the foundation for a legacy that, despite its initial appearance, would prosper into a dynamic and respected institution. During the 1930s, over 10,000 banks across the U.S. faced significant challenges, which caused them to close their doors; however, Farmers & Merchants Bank remained a steadfast pillar in the small community of Stewart County.

For the next 40 years, the bank cherished its deep roots in the community, embodying the essence of local, customer-focused banking. However, in 1972, a pivotal change occurred when John R. Wallace stepped in as president and CEO. Under his guidance, what was once a small rural bank began to evolve into a financial, civic, and community leader, marking the beginning of a transformative era for Farmers & Merchants.

The bank's ambition for growth led it beyond Bumpus Mills to neighboring areas. In 1988, with its eyes set on potential, Farmers & Merchants Bank expanded into Dover. By 1989, the bank had successfully established a presence in Montgomery County, opening its doors in Clarksville and setting a precedent for further growth.

Significant leadership changes came in 1990, marking a new chapter for the bank. Sammy Stuard was appointed president and took on the role of CEO, while Wallace preserved his influential position as chairman. Together, they foresaw the necessity for a modern, progressive identity to foster further growth. The bank's expansion was met with swift success, earning it national acclaim as a pinnacle of community banking from reputable sources such as Entrepreneur Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. The journey continued with expansions into Montgomery and Robertson Counties, including Clarksville, Springfield, and Greenbrier, before reaching Wilson County with an office in Lebanon in 1997.

During this period of expansion and modernization, the bank continued to operate under the name Farmers & Merchants Bank until a significant rebranding in 2003. This rebranding marked not just a name change to F&M Bank but symbolized the evolution and commitment to serving an ever-expanding community network.

Becoming F&M Bank

Continuing our commitment to growth and community, F&M Bank has proudly expanded its presence by establishing new branches and facilities. The journey includes opening offices in Mt. Juliet (2006), Murfreesboro (2007), White House (2008), Hendersonville (2009), and Cookeville (2009), alongside inaugurating a new state-of-the-art headquarters facility in Clarksville (2007).

In 2015, a new chapter unfolded when Gaylon Lawrence, Jr., acquired F&M Bank, with Sammy Stuard ascending to Chairman of the Board.
Our expansion continued with new locations in Clarksville—Tiny Town Rd (2018), Franklin (2019), White Bluff (2019), Midtown Nashville (2021), Hopkinsville (2022), and the Bowling Green LPO (2022), further demonstrating our commitment to being where our customers need us.

A testament to our commitment is our consecutive wins in 2020 and 2022 when we were honored with the ABA Foundation Community Commitment Award for our OPERATIONS: Partners Serve Program. This initiative underscores our dedication to providing critical resources and opportunities for members of the military community.

As we continue to navigate each milestone and expansion, our focus remains on serving our communities with integrity, innovation, and a dedication to making banking easy for our customers. Instrumental to this innovative vision was John E. Peck's onboarding as President in 2023 and his appointment as CEO in January 2024. Concurrently, Sammy Stuard continues his invaluable contribution as Chairman of the Board, offering his wealth of experience and preserving our direction.

F&M Bank is more than a bank; we are a community partner driven to improve lives, make banking more accessible, and support the communities in which we operate. Thank you for entrusting F&M Bank with your banking needs - together, we're making lives better by making banking easier .