Our History

1893 - The Beginning

In 1893, W.J. “Jett” Dearing, a farmer and schoolteacher from Greentop, Missouri, partnered with Frank Hays to charter Atlanta State Bank. At just 29 years old, Dearing established what would become the foundation of a banking legacy that has served generations of North Missouri families, businesses, and agricultural communities.

1893 - Building a Foundation

To help establish Atlanta State Bank, W.J. “Jett” Dearing traveled throughout the region on horseback, selling shares of bank stock to local farmers. With 100 shares issued at $100 each, the bank was officially launched. Over the next four decades, Dearing provided the vision and leadership that guided the bank's growth. Known for his hands-on approach and strong work ethic, he remained deeply involved in the bank's success and the communities it served.

1933 - Forty Years of Growth

By 1933, Atlanta State Bank had reached its 40th anniversary amid the challenges of the Great Depression, a period that devastated many banks across Macon County and beyond. Guided by the values and vision of founder W.J. “Jett” Dearing, the bank remained strong and continued to grow. During its first four decades, assets increased from $14,000 at its founding in 1893 to $336,000, reflecting the stability, resilience, and community-focused approach that would become hallmarks of the bank.

1935 - Relocation to Macon

Following the banking failures of the Great Depression, the City of Macon was without a bank from 1932 to 1934. Recognizing the need for local financial services in the county seat, community leaders encouraged Atlanta State Bank to relocate to Macon. On January 2, 1935, the newly renamed Macon-Atlanta State Bank opened its doors in the former State Exchange Bank building on Vine Street in downtown Macon, marking the bank's transition from its Atlanta roots and beginning a new chapter of service to the Macon community.

1960s - Growth & Modernization

As Macon-Atlanta State Bank continued to grow, the 1960s brought new opportunities to better serve its customers. To accommodate increasing demand and the rising popularity of drive-up banking, the bank relocated to a new facility on Butler Street. This move reflected the bank’s commitment to evolving with the needs of its communities while maintaining the personalized service that had defined it for generations.

2002 - New Headquarters

In March 2002, Macon-Atlanta State Bank relocated its headquarters to a new state-of-the-art facility in Macon, Missouri. The move marked an important milestone in the bank’s history, providing additional space to support growth and enhancing the customer experience. Equipped with modern banking technology and designed to meet the evolving needs of customers, the new headquarters positioned the bank for continued success in the 21st century.

2013 - Expansion to Monroe City

In 2013, Macon-Atlanta State Bank expanded its footprint with the purchase of a banking facility in Monroe City, Missouri. The new location allowed the bank to extend its service area while continuing its tradition of providing personalized, hometown banking services. The Monroe City expansion reflected the bank’s ongoing commitment to serving the financial needs of communities throughout Northeast Missouri.

2020 - Investing in Monroe City

In 2020, Macon-Atlanta State Bank opened a new state-of-the-art banking facility in Monroe City, Missouri. Located directly across from the bank’s previous branch, the new facility was designed to enhance the customer experience through modern amenities and advanced banking technology. This investment reflected the bank’s continued commitment to serving the Monroe City community and supporting its future growth.

2020 - A New Name

On October 4, 2020, Macon-Atlanta State Bank officially became MA Bank. Pronounced “M-A Bank,” the new name and accompanying logo created a modern identity that reflected the bank’s continued growth and expanding footprint. Though the brand evolved, the values established more than a century earlier remained the same—providing exceptional service, fostering lasting relationships, and supporting the communities the bank proudly calls home.

2024 - Expansion to Kirksville

On October 28, 2024, MA Bank opened a temporary banking facility in Kirksville, Missouri, marking the bank’s expansion into Adair County and the surrounding Northeast Missouri region. The location served as the foundation for building relationships within the community and supporting continued growth, ultimately leading to the development of MA Bank’s permanent Kirksville banking facility.

2026 - A New Chapter in Kirksville

On July 13, 2026, MA Bank officially opened its new permanent banking facility in Kirksville, Missouri. Located at 1220 N. Baltimore Street, the state-of-the-art branch represented the culmination of the bank’s investment in the community following the successful launch of its temporary facility in 2024. The new location reinforced MA Bank’s commitment to serving the financial needs of individuals, families, farmers, and businesses throughout Northeast Missouri for years to come.