From Valera State Bank, 1915 to Coleman Bank, 1983

     Valera State Bank was organized in 1915 and was operated from a caged area in the Valera Lumber Yard and Hardware Store.  Stockholders included Dr. H. H. Mitchell, H. A. Byrom, J. W. Mead, E. Rodden, A. A. Brown, Andy Broyles, I. J. Mauldin and Tom Pauley.  In 1917, due to the growth of the bank, a new building was constructed to house the bank.  Dr. Mitchell was President and E. G. Harvey, Cashier.  Theo Griffis was elected Cashier in 1925.  The Valera State Bank experienced their first robbery, April 12, 1926 at which time three armed bandits took $3,000.00, overlooking an additional $9,000.00 in the vault.  The next robbery occurred December 26, 1929 and one of the fugitives was later killed in a gun battle with law officers at the Jennings Oil Field.  The other two fugitives escaped and were later arrested.  During the closing of so many banks in 1932, Valera State Bank remained open and continued to service their customers.

     October 15, 1936, Valera State Bank received approval from the Texas Banking Department and moved from Valera to Coleman under a new charter and name, Coleman County State Bank.  Officers were H. A. Byrom, President; Theo Griffis, Active Vice-President; C. Woodruff, Cashier; and Steve Brown, Assistant Cashier.  Directors were J. P. Morris, R. G. Hollingsworth, W. J. Coulson, H. A. Byrom, C. R. Jeanes and Theo Griffis.  The Bank was located at 108 West Live Oak.  Capital stock was $30,000.00, surplus $6,000.00, deposits $85,000.00 and loans $263.50.  Twenty-one days later a new statement was issued showing deposits of $254,692.55, loans $103,271.55 and total resources of $291,607.19.  Coleman County State Bank purchased assets of First State Bank, Talpa, Texas in 1942.  Coleman Bank's published condensed statement of condition at close of business June 30, 1983 lists deposits of $36,734,292.91, loans of $13,830,857.53 and total resources of $40,577,453.53.  In 1940 Walter J. Taylor came to Coleman County State Bank as Executive Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer.  He became President in 1945 and remained with the bank until his death in 1962.

     The bank purchased and moved to their present location in 1944.  Through the years the six story Coleman Bank office building has had many interior and exterior face lifts and today exhibits the reflected taste of the best in interior and exterior design for a bank and office building  Over the years the bank has also purchased additional property which has provided for drive-in banking and a parking lot.  The bank also provides a popular Club Room for the general public.  Mr. G. W. Wilson served Coleman Bank as President from 1964 until retirement.  Mr. Mack Sampson now serves as bank President and Trust Officer and has done so since 1977.

     Coleman Bank is now owned by Gerald J. Ford and Associates and Larry D. Willard serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.  Other officers are Mack Sampson, President; Gilliam T. Byrom, Executive Vice-President; Jeane Abbey, Vice-President and Cashier; Retamay Gaines, Vice-President and Trust Officer; Robert Jameson, Assistant Vice-President; Rick Tisdale, Assistant Vice-President; Melba Baugh, Lorena Cullins and Dorothy McDonald, Assistant Cashiers.  Directors are Arnold Allcorn, C. B. Drinkard, Gerald J. Ford, Ross Jones, Gordon McCann, R. O. McCarty, John D. Rhone, Mack Sampson, and Larry Willard.  Don Cosby serves as Advisory Director.   Larry D. Willard joined the bank as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in June 1982.