By the summer of 1938, the great depression had closed Hamilton, Missouri's two banks. Local citizens, merchants and farmers concerned about the future of the community bought nearly all of the stock offered in a new bank. L.G. Ehlers, a banker who had worked in another Missouri bank that had survived the crash, led the effort. On June 11, 1938, The Hamilton Bank opened to embody their vision of a safe, convenient, community oriented depository and lender. That vision has been extended to two more communities with the opening of a bank facility in Breckenridge, Missouri in 1975 and in Lathrop, Missouri in 2010.
This is a family owned bank committed to the same principles that stood to guide our founders four generations ago. Our customers deserve friendly, personal banking service at all our locations. Honesty and safety are never to be sacrificed. Technology is used to speed, diversify and enhance the customer experience. Our communities deserve a banking partner that is active in the financial development and improvement of their citizens, farms, merchants and institutions.
The Hamilton Bank continues as an independent community bank committed to providing exceptional service to its customers. With corporate offices in Hamilton, all policy and lending decisions are made locally. Local ownership means local commitment as the directors and officers have vested interest in helping to make our communities a better place to live.