MERRILL, WI – Merrill Community Bank has been selected as the 2019 Small Business of the Year and received their award from Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce at their Annual Awards Celebration.
Merrill Federal Savings and Loan Association was formed as a mutual corporation in October 1940 by a handful of Merrill residents for the sole purpose of providing home ownership to area residents. They started in a small office located at 925 East Main Street and then purchased and moved to their current location at 907 E. Main Street in December 1953. They purchased the adjacent building for additional space in 1978.
In 2016, Merrill Federal Savings and Loan merged with Tomahawk Community Bank and became Merrill Community Bank. Similar to Tomahawk Community Bank, when Merrill Federal Savings and Loan was charted, there was no intent by its organizers to personally profit by the organization. The merger of the two institutions insured an independent banking philosophy in terms of local lending decisions and other financial products continuing at both the Tomahawk and Merrill locations. Both institutions are committed to “Community Banking without Boundaries”, by serving the needs of our area communities.
“The institution has been a long-time investing member of the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce,” Debbe Kinsey, Chamber President & CEO. “But they are more than that, they are a great corporate citizen sponsoring and donating to events and activities in Merrill. They donated a portion of the land that is now Banker’s Square Pocket Park and partnered with our Chamber Foundation to complete a mural on the wall beneath the bank wall.”
And just like the great Christmas movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life”, the old savings and loan is still alive and well, just under a new name – Merrill Community Bank.