Our Story

Farmers & Merchants Bank was founded in 1940 by Harry Kujawa to offer farmers in the Berlin area a bank that understood the unique needs of hard-working people who were living and supporting a family in the sometimes-fickle agricultural business. Harry wanted a bank where farmers felt comfortable coming in straight from the fields to do their banking business.

The response showed he was fulfilling a need in the community. Three months after being approved to operate by the Wisconsin Banking Corporation, deposits reached $240,000 and loans were $122,000. The first two savings accounts opened were for Harry’s children, Mary and John.

The way in which banking occurs has changed a great deal since 1940, but one thing has held true; we are committed to getting to know you and your needs so that we can serve you better–just like Harry did.

John Kujawa followed in his father’s footsteps and successfully grew the bank for over 60 years. Today, John’s children Catherine, Peter and Paul, grandsons Dane and Harry, and granddaughter Bria, continue Grandpa Harry’s vision by working every day to understand the unique needs of all our customers.

FMB Board Members

Left to right: Thomas McCarthy, Matthew Chier, CEO Paul Kujawa, CBO-COO Catherine Kujawa, CCO-CLO Peter Kujawa, Michael Bartol