The Fort Jennings State Bank

Leo J Wildenhaus was a teacher at Fort Jennings High School in Fort Jennings, Ohio, when he decided to pursue a career as a banker. He began working at a Coldwater Bank to learn the trade. In 1915 he started a bank in Darke County, Ohio, which was named Osgood State Bank, which remains in existence today. The merchants and farmers of the southwestern portion of Putnam County asked Leo to return to Fort Jennings. He did and in 1918 he helped to organize and open The Fort Jennings State Bank. Leo served as the bank’s first cashier, holding that position until 1958. During his tenure, the bank experienced two World Wars and The Great Depression, including the infamous ‘Bank Holidays’. It also continued to serve the local community and to grow.

R.J. ‘Banker Bill’ Wildenhaus started at the bank in 1954 and served as cashier from 1958 to 1983. During that time the bank continued it success and by 1970 it became apparent that new facilities would be required to serve its increasing customer base. The bank was originally located in what is now the U.S. Post Office in Fort Jennings. A new building was constructed across the street and to the north of the previous bank, and included one of the very first drive-up teller windows in the area. In 1988, an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) was installed, allowing customers access to their checking and savings accounts 24 hours a day.

By 1990, continued growth led the bank to construct an addition that nearly doubled the size of the bank building. At that time the original vault door, which had remained in the post office since construction of the new bank, was reclaimed and made a part of the conference table in the bank boardroom. According to President Lawrence N Schimmoeller, who had found the original shipping voucher for the door, it had been purchased from Mosler Safe Corporation of Hamilton, Ohio and shipped by rail from Cincinnati to the Fort Jennings rail station on September 28, 1918, at a cost of $8.01. The 1,500 pound door was then transported by horse and wagon to the bank at 20 S Water Street and installed by Barney Wieging and Arnold Miehls. When constructing the new addition in 1990, it was determined that a boardroom conference table would be needed and the idea to use the vault door was conceived. The front side of the vault door, with its wheel and safe tumblers that still work, was attached to the boardroom wall. Said President Schimmoeller:

“We are very proud to be able to have a piece of the old bank with the new. The bank, along with this area, has come far to be where it is at today. Our ancestors worked very hard to drain the (Black) Swamp, building their homes and the Village, and starting their businesses. Some of those businesses are still in existence. We hope that this little piece of history will remind us of the legacy that our forefathers left”

History also lines the walls of the bank, as old pictures of the Village of Fort Jennings and the surrounding area were exhibited.

In 1993, it again became apparent that the physical location was too small to serve it’s customers effectively, and rather than increase the bank building again, it was decided to construct a branch office in nearby Ottoville, Ohio. Using as many local contractors and vendors as possible, the brand new building was completed and a Grand Opening held in November, 1994. History abounds with pictures of Ottoville as it used to be, mixed with the very latest in bank design. This successful branch provided convenience for customers in the Ottoville area and helped to take some of the pressures off of the bank in Fort Jennings.

In late 1995, a new opportunity was presented to the bank. A large commercial bank was divesting some of its bank branches located in smaller communities and by March 1996, a branch office in Columbus Grove, Ohio had been purchased by the bank, adding a new customer base to whom the banks products and services could be offered. This building was also decorated with historical pictures of the Columbus Grove area and received some modernizing of its appearance with new landscaping designed by an area landscape designer, and interior design help from a local shopkeeper/decorator.

In 1997, an important step was taken to help the bank remain an independent, community bank. From its inception in 1918, the bank had been owned by its stockholders. In December 1997, a holding company, FJSB Bancshares, Inc, was formed, with The Fort Jennings State Bank as its wholly owned subsidiary. The stockholders of The Fort Jennings State Bank became the stockholders of FJSB Bancshares, Inc.

In late 2000, the Board of Directors commissioned a study to determine the feasibility of a branch in the village of Leipsic, Ohio, which is located in the northeastern section of Putnam County. In April of 2001, a temporary facility was opened for business, with construction of an all-new branch office commencing shortly thereafter, once again using local contractors wherever possible. This new office was completed by the end of 2001 and a Grand Opening celebration held in January 2002. This office used the same design as the FJSB office located in Ottoville and also displays pictures of Leipsic from the past. The success of this office is evident; from the time the temporary location was opened, a steady stream of new customers has been welcomed.

Also implemented in early 2001 was another convenience feature for customers – Internet banking. An informational website – www.fjsb.com – had been maintained beginning in 1997. Using the 24 hour a day, 7 day a week availability of the World Wide Web, the bank made available a secure and safe banking service which allows customers to access accounts, transfer funds between accounts and even pay bills from nearly anywhere.

2001 and 2002 were years of growth in assets and profitability for the bank. By year-end 2002, the bank had grown to $88.1 million in assets and 26 employees. In 2003, the bank observed is 85^th anniversary. While larger and more diverse than in its first years of operation, The Fort Jennings State Bank has never forgotten the customers who have made this operation successful and continue to offer the same personal service and traditional community oriented banking value.

In late 2002 the Board of Directors made the decision to raze the Columbus Grove building and construct a new facility with a design similar to those in Ottoville and Leipsic. In June 2003 a temporary facility was opened nearby, allowing the office to relocate and remain in operation during the construction process. In February 2004 the new office was completed and opened, with a Grand Opening held in March.

The newest addition to the bank family is a branch in Ottawa, Ohio, the Putnam County seat. In October 2005 a temporary banking facility was opened in order to establish a presence while a permanent building is constructed. Completion and Grand Opening is expected in late 2006.

The purpose of The Fort Jennings State Bank is to become the bank of choice in the communities we serve. We will accomplish this by offering to our customers the financial services they expect while providing a return to our owners. In accomplishing this mission, we will remain an independent community bank.

The purpose of the mission statement is to help all employees, stockholders and customers realize the purpose of the bank’s existence. In addition, a new motto “the bank of choice” was implemented.

As of February 2006 The Fort Jennings State Bank had assets of over $100 million and 31 employees.

ASSETS

LIABILITIES & CAPITAL

DIRECTORS

Douglas Beining
Bernard Calvelage
Norman Kahle
George Krietemeyer
James Miehls
Lawrence Schimmoeller
William Wildenhaus
Cheryl McKee

OFFICERS

EMPLOYEES

JoAnn Beam, Human Resources Director
Rebecca Pothast, Bookkeeping
Jan Warnecke, Loan Officer
Kathy Wehri
Jennifer Wannemacher
Marge Thornock
Cathy Tenwalde
Nancy Selhorst
Sandy Brinkman
Linda Gorman
Anne Hemker
Sabrina Schnipke