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About Us

About First Farmers & Merchants Bank

First Farmers & Merchants Bank is a family-owned community bank that serves 15 communities in central and southern Minnesota.

Our History

First Farmers & Merchants Bank was formed in 1987 by President/CEO Brian Short when, during the “Farm Crisis” of the 1980’s, he bought a small bank with locations in Luverne and Pipestone, Minnesota from one of the largest banks in the upper Midwest. Many of the large banks at that time were giving up on small communities in general and production agriculture in particular.

Our name was a bold statement for the time: that we were committed to providing banking services to those who farmed and to the small businesses which served them. Since then, we have grown and now serve those who farm, work, and live in 15 communities in southern Minnesota. Our expansion reflects our deep commitment to those who live and work in small communities in Minnesota.

While First Farmers & Merchants Bank was founded in 1987, we can trace our roots back to those who provided banking services in our communities as early as the late 19th century. We are proud to continue the legacies of those bankers and community leaders. Our history begins in:

  • Austin: Originally established in 1887 as First Fidelity Savings and Loan Association
  • Brownsdale: Originally established in 1908 as State Bank of Brownsdale
  • Cannon Falls: Originally established in 1927 as Security State Bank of Cannon Falls
  • Fairmont: Originally established in 1891 as Fairmont Federal Savings and Loan Association
  • Goodhue: Originally established in 1914 as Goodhue State Bank
  • Grand Meadow: Originally established in 1938 as First State Bank of Grand Meadow
  • Le Sueur: Originally established in 1933 as Valley National Bank of Le Sueur
  • Luverne: Originally established in 1931 as The Luverne National Bank
  • Pipestone: Originally established in 1879 as First Bank
  • White Rock: Originally established in 1915 as White Rock State Bank

Vision & Purpose


Our Vision:

To be the engine which stimulates economic development and promotes financial security in the communities we serve.

Our Purpose:

We strive to be recognized as the financial institution of choice in all of the communities we serve. We continue to be a premier community bank focusing on agricultural and small business lending. We maintain a strong, positive, team-oriented work environment and are recognized as a great place to work. We strive to exceed our customers’ expectations through the prudent expansion of our products and services and through responsible, profitable growth.

  • Brian Short, President/CEO
  • Greg Wulf, EVP and Chief Banking Officer
  • Mark Van Landschoot, Chief Credit Officer
  • Dylan Gergen, Chief Financial Officer
  • Matthew Demaray, Chief Information Officer
  • Andy Noll, SVP and Charter President of FF&M Fairmont
  • David Feddersen, SVP and Charter President of FF&M Grand Meadow
  • Patty Tewes, Charter President of FF&M Brownsdale
  • Brett Elford, Charter President of FF&M Cannon Falls
  • Brian Pfarr, Charter President of FF&M Luverne
We're proud to be a community bank. We have local Advisory Boards in the communities that we serve. Learn more about our Advisory Boards.