Piqua State Bank, a part of the local banking community for the past 100 years, is celebrating its centennial with its customers this week.
Visitors to each of the bank’s three branches — its headquarters in Piqua, plus branches in Gas and Yates Center — will be treated to cookies, coffee, key chains, pens and other assorted memorabilia.
“We’ve always tried to be a part of the community,” said Donna Curry, whose late husband, Jack, purchased the bank in 1971. Donna Curry still works mornings at the bank two blocks south of U.S. 54 in Piqua. “This is a way to say that we will always appreciate our customers.”
The bank’s history dates to 1910, when a pair of rival banks were started.
The Farmer’s State Bank was organized by George Wille, who served as its first president. His son, John, was a cashier, beginning a 50-year banking career.
A second bank, Piqua State Bank was organized with L.C. Niemann as president and Tony Diebolt as cashier.
The two merged in 1914, maintaining the Piqua State Bank designation.
The bank was purchased from the Wille family by Webb Dreilling, until it was sold to Jack Curry in 1971. The bank remains with the Curry family, with many family members working in any of the three branches.
Piqua State Bank added two branches in 1988, the first in Yates Center in March, the second in Gas that October.
Donna Curry noted that when her husband purchased the bank in 1971, it had about $1 in assets. The bank now holds about $27 million in assets.
Piqua bank celebrates 100th
