A Century of Service 1904-2004

On January 9, 1904, The State Bank of Burnside was opened for business with assets of $25,000.00. The Bank prospered, but the Directors felt there was a greater opportunity for growth in a larger town. So, on July 4, 1941, the Bank moved to LaHarpe and became the State Bank of LaHarpe.

First National Bank of Carthage was chartered May 4, 1934, and opened with assets of $207,758.00. The Bank was sold to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. of Naperville in 1985, and became known as First Midwest Bank/Hancock County. On June 30, 1989, the Carthage branch of First Midwest was sold to the State Bank of LaHarpe and the two banks became known as FIRST STATE BANK OF WESTERN ILLINOIS.

On September 7, 1990, First State Bank of Western Illinois purchased the Macomb branch of Gem City Federal Savings and Loan Association. The establishment of a presence in Macomb was a natural part of First State’s plans for growth and commitment to Western Illinois. The Bank’s assets increased to approximately $70 million with the Gem City acquisition.

On November 12, 1997, First State Bank of Western Illinois opened a full-service branch in Thompson’s Food Basket in Macomb, Illinois. This was the first in-store branch in either McDonough or Hancock counties and is indicative of our continued effort to provide the most up to date delivery service for our customers.

In July of 2000, First State Bank of Western Illinois purchased the Hamilton, Illinois Branch of Associated Banc-Corporation. The purchase of this $27,000,000 institution gave First State three strategically located facilities in Hancock County and increased total assets to $125,000,000. This also made First State Bank of Western Illinois the largest financial institution in Hancock County.

In the late summer of 2000, Thompson Food Basket in Macomb, Illinois discontinued business and as such First State Express was forced to close it’s doors. Discussions began immediately with Hy-Vee, who was in the process of building a new store on the east side of Macomb. Negotiations were successful and in October of 2000 First State Express opened it’s doors in Hy-Vee’s new facility on East Jackson.

In late 2003 discussions were initiated with Union Bank/West to purchase their Blandinsville, Illinois Branch. Blandinsville is only seven miles east of LaHarpe, with a great deal of overlapping commerce, making the location an obvious choice. An agreement was reached and on May 7, 2004 the $12,000,000 Branch became First State’s sixth full-service location bringing the Bank’s total assets to $147,000,000.

Also, in late 2003 Associated Bank contacted us concerning their Monmouth location. Monmouth, being the county seat of Warren County and contiguous to McDonough County on the north, was a logical choice for a First State location. Terms were agreed upon and on June 18, 2004 the $7,000,000 branch became First State’s seventh location, bringing the Bank’s total assets to $155,000,000.