The Farmers State Bank of Waupaca was established on January 11, 1911 and opened for business on January 14, 1911. The first bank building was on the corner of Fulton and Main Street in what is now the Hart & Hart Law office. The bank was there until March 7, 1966 when it moved to the old Palace Theatre site at 112 W. In the fall of 1977 the Farmers State Bank added additional drive-up lanes (orig
inally it only had one) to the Fulton Street office. The downtown office remained the only Farmers State Bank location until August of 1989 when the bank built its first branch at 717 Churchill Street. This bank was added to handle the growing demand for a bank on the east side of Waupaca. With the addition of our auto bank and traffic shifting away from Churchill Street, the location officially closed on October 30, 2006. In December 1991, the Farmers State Bank expanded again, this time in King. The bank built its King Branch at N2701 Cty. QQ right next to the Veterans Home in King. This branch helped serve the expanding area around the Chain O' Lakes. The King Branch officially closed on October 1, 2019 due to the increase in direct deposits and mobile banking which affected foot traffic into the branch. The Auto Bank was opened in May of 1998 at 118 W. Session Street (1 block from its Main Office). This facility serves our customers as a quick access drive-up and has allowed the bank to expand its Main Office. On May 22, 2000 we added a branch in Wild Rose. This branch helps serve the needs of the growing community in the Wild Rose area. On June 1, 2005, we opened another location. This time opening a branch on the corner of Highways 96 & 110 at N560 State Road 110 in Fremont. The bank has had 9 Presidents since 1911. Julius Rosholt (1911 to 1912), Kim Rosholt (1912 to 1916), Nathan Cohen (1916-1921), John F. Jardine (1921 to 1937), Harry W. Rawson (1937 to 1962), Philip L. Karling (1962 to 1969), Reuben M. Danielsen (1969 to 1987), Francis J. Vergauwen (1987 – 2010), and Laine M. Lazers (2010 to present). The leadership and guidance of these individuals, along with numerous other long-term employees, have created a very stable environment where the customers are able to get to know the employees over the years. These relationships are the key to our success. An important note about the Farmers State Bank is that it opened as a Locally Owned, Independent, Community Bank and that still holds true today. Also, the Farmers State Bank is one of only three banks in the state of Wisconsin that did not close during the depression. Our Mission Statement is as follows: "Working together with our customers and community as an independent bank by providing quality financial services in a friendly manner." As a community minded bank, our money is reinvested to support our local communities.
