OUR HISTORY

Williamstown Bank has a proud, rich history in West Virginia.

October 1, 1919

Early in the 20th Century, a group of community minded individuals realized the town of Williamstown, West Virginia, was in need of a local bank. These men met and incorporated a new bank. This bank would be known as the Farmers and Mechanics National Bank of Williamstown.

December 1919

The newly organized bank of Farmers and Mechanics National Bank of Williamstown officially opened for business. The first Board of Directors consisted of F.L. Fenton, J.J. Lorentz, E.E. Lane, George Pugh, M. Richter, Frank Lane, D. Reynolds, O.D. King, and B.F. Riggs. The bank’s first officers were F.L. Fenton, President; E.E. Lane, Vice President; and J.J. Lorentz, Cashier.

1951

The bank was prosperous throughout the years and moved into their current location at 435 Highland Avenue in Williamstown.

1960

Controlling interest in the Bank was purchased by A.V. Criss and Douglas Adams. After operating together for several years, the interest of Douglas Adams was purchased by A.V. Criss, Jr. Mr. Criss passed away in 1983 and his wife, L. Gay Criss, assumed the position of controlling shareholder of the bank, until her death in May 2008. The Criss family remains heavily involved in the bank.

January 1, 1964

The name of the bank was changed to The Williamstown National Bank. This was done to shorten the name of the Bank and make it conform to common usage. The bank had commonly been referred to as The Williamstown Bank for many years.

1986

The Officers and Directors of the bank decided to open a branch office at 3002 E. 7th Street, Parkersburg, West Virginia.

March 13, 2007

The bank’s shareholders approved changing the bank’s charter to a state charter and began the process for the bank to become Williamstown Bank, Inc. This change was effective June 1, 2007.

October 1, 2019

Williamstown Bank celebrated its 100th Anniversary in business. Although the Bank has seen many changes over the last 100 years, our mission as an independent community bank, providing the best customer service possible, continues to remain the same.

January 27th, 2020

Williamstown Bank officially opened its doors to its location in the Lubeck area of Parkersburg, West Virginia, when the bank discovered a need for an institution. Advancing in technology and customer service, the new location features a non-traditional layout, designed as an open and inviting space for the public, including outdoor seating and public wifi. The innovation of Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) provide live video teller support, expanding business hours of operation for customer convenience.

August 9th, 2023

Williamstown Bank officially opened its doors to its new location in the area of South Parkersburg, West Virginia, because the bank knew this was the fastest growing area of the Mid-Ohio Valley. Still advancing in technology and customer service, the new location features a non-traditional layout, designed as an open and inviting space for the public, including outdoor seating and public wifi. The Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) provide live video teller support, expanding business hours of operation for customer convenience.

Present Day

The Bank continues to grow and prosper and remains one of the few Community Banks left in the State of West Virginia.