Where does your family bank?
Almost 10 years ago, Dr. and Mrs. Anand Roy saw a slab of concrete being poured at the corner of Nelson and Sale Streets. They watched and wondered and eventually learned the site was to become a Merchants & Farmers bank.
“So, naturally we went over to check it out when they opened, because it’s close to our home,” explains Dr. Roy, a Lake Charles internist.
The rest, as they say, is history. The Roys have multiple accounts with Merchants & Farmers. Curiosity and convenience may have drawn the Roys to the bank, but a variety of factors have kept them there.
“They have always treated us like VIPs even before they knew anything about us,” says a beaming Dr. Roy. “They had all the offers we were looking for,” he adds, “and we love the environment here.”
In September, Merchants & Farmers will complete its 10th year in Lake Charles. Shawn Camara, City President, recalls that Dr. Roy was “one of our original customers.” Truth be told, it is Dr. Roy’s wife Taruna who also does a lot of the banking, but she insisted her husband be interviewed for this article.
“I trust these people with the safety of my hard-earned money,” says Dr. Roy.
Another customer, Kenneth Conner, who owns a local tire store, remembers those early days of the bank, too. “A friend suggested I try Merchants & Farmers because he knew some of the people associated with the bank. So I met Shawn Camara. He’s very straightforward and always does what he promises.”
Even though Conner does most of his banking electronically now, he says the people at Merchants & Farmers have become his friends. “They’re professional people who listen to your needs. This is one of the few places left that really treats you like family.”
{{tncms-inline alignment=”center” content=”<p class="p1">In operation since 1928, Merchants &amp; Farmers Bank is an independent community bank with seven full-service locations in six cities, including Lake Charles and Sulphur. One of the first Louisiana banks to establish online banking, Merchants &amp; Farmers offers a variety of products and services for business and consumer needs.</p>” id=”fff24036-81bf-4a8b-b245-89b1f1aa2223″ style-type=”info” title=”About Merchants and Farmers Bank” type=”relcontent” width=”full”}}
Like Dr. Roy’s family, almost everyone in Conner’s family has accounts at Merchants & Farmers. “Their regular checking account is perfect for a college student. My son has an account here. This is a great place for a student account.”
After spending several years as a banker himself, Charles Cox, a Lake Charles financial advisor, is eager to talk about the differences between a locally owned bank and a mega-bank.
“The banking world is so competitive. I learned a long time ago that if you’re loyal to your customers they’ll be loyal to you,” says Cox. That’s why I recommend this bank. It’s a community bank and it may seem like a cliché, but you can get an answer here faster than you can at the bigger banks.”
“The tellers at Merchants & Farmers are excellent and well educated,” Cox adds. “Ninety percent of the time, the only banker most of us see is the teller, so why not have someone who’s intelligent and helpful?”
He also appreciates the availability of safe deposit boxes. “There are not many banks these days that have safe deposit boxes, but they do here.”
Cox also gives a thumbs up to Merchants & Farmers online banking. “They have a good
platform and I like their online bill pay. But I also like walking into the lobby. It’s really nice — I walk in here and people say ‘Hi!.’ So, I’ve got personal local service and access all over the world.”
Cox encourages others to become Merchants & Farmers customers. “I realize that switching banks may seem like a hassle, but they’ll help you with that,” he says.
“I just don’t know why anybody would bank anywhere else. Community banks are where it’s at.”
In operation since 1928, Merchants & Farmers Bank is an independent community bank with seven full-service locations in six cities, including Lake Charles and Sulphur. One of the first Louisiana banks to establish online banking, Merchants & Farmers offers a variety of products and services for business and consumer needs.