Farmers and Merchants Bank: California’s Strongest Since 1907

Our Profile: A Legacy of Conservative, Family-Led Banking

Farmers and Merchants Bank (F&M Bank) is a privately-held commercial bank that is the oldest and one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Southern California. Founded in 1907 by Charles J. Walker, the bank has remained continuously owned and managed by the Walker family for four generations.³

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, F&M Bank is renowned for its extreme financial conservatism and stability, earning it the reputation as “California’s Strongest.”⁴ It operates over 25 branches across key markets, including Long Beach, the South Bay, Orange County, and Santa Barbara, focusing on serving businesses, professionals, and high-net-worth clients.

Core Business Segments and Distinction

F&M Bank emphasizes a traditional, relationship-based banking model, combining personalized service with specialized lending expertise:

Commercial Banking: Provides comprehensive business banking solutions, including business checking, merchant card services, and commercial loans.⁵ The bank specializes in Commercial Real Estate (CRE) loans, construction loans, and lending to churches and non-profit organizations.⁶
Retail and Personal Banking: Offers personal checking, savings, money market, and personal loan options.⁷ The bank’s commitment to personalized, high-touch “white glove” service is a key differentiator.⁸
Trust and Wealth Management: Offered through the separate Farmers and Merchants Trust Company (established 1920), providing trust administration, estate planning, and wealth advisory services to preserve multi-generational wealth.⁹

The F&M Bank Distinction

The bank’s key competitive advantage is its unwavering independence and financial conservatism. While maintaining the service culture of a community bank, its management prioritizes stability and safeguarding client deposits above all else. This long-term, fiduciary-like commitment has allowed F&M to build strong trust and loyalty within the highly competitive Southern California market.

Corporate Contact Information: F&M Bank (Long Beach Headquarters)

The table below provides the essential contact details for the headquarters of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach.

Name	FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK OF LONG BEACH (F&M Bank)
Address (Corporate HQ & Main Office)	302 Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA.
Tel (Main Office/Customer Service)	+1 (562) 437-0011 (Local)
SWIFT Code (Primary)	FMLBUS66XXX
Ownership Status	Privately Held (Walker Family)