History

In 1923, both Oklahoma State Bank of Welch and Bank of Welch served the Welch community.  Oklahoma State Bank of Welch was located at 360 South Commercial Street and Bank of Welch was located at 391 South Commercial Street.

In October of 1923, these two banks merged to become Welch State Bank.  Welch State Bank’s first President was Mr. H. Brooks Campell.  When these two entities merged they assumed the location of the Bank of Welch in the building located at 391 South Commercial Street.

In 1951, Mr. John Burford purchased the bank from Mrs. Ola Dobkins.

In the early 1970’s Welch State Bank broadened their lending efforts to include cattle loans.  As of present day, Welch State Bank continues to maintain a major focus on providing banking products to meet the needs of their agriculture community.

In April of 1976, Welch State Bank moved from it’s location at 391 South Commercial Street, to its present location in Welch at 396 S. Commercial Street. 

In February of 1967, Mr. Charles L. Stoner began managing the bank and was named President of Welch State Bank in 1968.

In an effort to meet the needs of the people in the community, Mr. Charles L. Stoner introduced Real Estate Mortgage Lending in the late 1967. 

In 1981, Mr. Charles L. Stoner, Mr. Robert Richardson, Mr. C.E. Neill, Mr. Loyld Cowgill, Mr. Joe Neill, and Mr. Arthur W. Cousatte purchased control of the bank from Mr. John Buford, Mr. John Wallace and Mr. Ben Owens. In 1981 Welch State Bank held assets of approximately $12 Million.

In the early 1990’s Welch State Bank furthered their agricultural focus by becoming a Farm Service Agency Lender.  Currently Welch State Bank is one of only a handful of Oklahoma banks to attain the Farm Service Agency “Preferred Lender” accreditation.

In February of 2003, the management of the bank changed.  Mr. Arthur W. Cousatte was named Chief Executive Officer; Mr. James A. Stoner was named President; Mr. Charles L. Stoner continued as Chairman of the Board. 

Welch State Bank is owned between the Stoner and Cousatte families, with total assets at the end of 2007 of approximately $172 Million.  Welch State Bank offers a variety of banking products and services to meet our customer’s needs.