LIBERTY STATE BANK
Important Part Of DeKalb Progress!
THIS BANK HAS WEATHERED TWO DEPRESSIONS AND WAS THE ONLY ONE OUT OF SEVEN DeKALB COUNTY BANKS THAT REMAINED OPEN DURING THE LAST DEPRESSION AND HAS THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE OLDEST BANK IN DeKALB COUNTY.
Liberty State Bank, as Dekalb County's oldest bank, traces its origin to the Bank of Liberty which was formed in 1898 by A. E. Potter. Mr. Potter was the father of the late J. Edward Potter, founder of Commerce Union Bank of Nashville. In 1918, the Bank of Liberty and the American Savings Bank merged with resulting institution being Liberty Savings Bank. The present building was also constructed in 1918 using the best oak, poplar and marble interior finishes with solid brick walls.
During the Great Depression, Liberty Savings Bank remained open during a period when many other banks closed. Jim Bradley, who resided upstairs over the bank, was the cashier during this period.
As the depression was coming to an end, the late Edgar Evins, father of Joe L. Evins, became interested in the bank. Former Congressman Joe L. Evins, after assisting his father, followed him in leading the bank.
In April 1969, J. Roy Wauford, Jr., acquired the Evins' interest. At that time, the total assets of the bank were slightly more than $1.3 million. In February 1973, the name was changed to Liberty State Bank and in November 1973, the first branch bank was opened in Alexandria.
In March of 1982, First National Bank of Lebanon, with offices in Lebanon and Watertown, was acquired by Liberty State Bank. At that time, the total combined assets of Liberty State Bank were $19.3 million.
In April of 1991 Liberty State Bank sold its Watertown branch to Wilson Bank & Trust.
In 1994 the Smithville branch of Liberty State Bank was opened. In 1998 Liberty State bank opened its fifth office. This office is our second branch in Wilson County, located at 214 North Cumberland.
In 1999, Citizens Bancorp Investments purchased the majority of the Liberty State Bank stock. Total assets are in excess of 130 million as of December 31, 2009; it is still a strong force in the community. Its employees are dedicated and community- minded and is always willing to help their neighbors.
