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collage of early years of the Bank of Benton

HISTORY

Becoming Western Kentucky's Community Bank

Until 1890, commerce had always been slowed in Marshall County, Kentucky because there was no bank. When construction of the Paducah, Tennessee and Alabama Railroad began in 1889, a number of county businessmen set in motion plans to incorporate a bank. In March of 1890, a bill was introduced in the General Assembly in Frankfort. This bill received final approval on April 16, 1890, thus Community Financial Services Bank (CFSB) was born. The capital stock of CFSB was initially $12,500.00.

Three men singing at the first Watermelon Bust held in 1974 by Bank of Benton

Deeply rooted in the growth of Western Kentucky

From this humble beginning, CFSB has not only grown financially to more than $1.2 billion, but the bank itself has become an institution in Western Kentucky. CFSB has also grown from its original site on the Benton Court Square to three Marshall County Banking Centers with two locations in both McCracken and Calloway County, and a single banking center in Graves County.

On April 16, 2020, CFSB celebrated its 130th anniversary. It is because of you, our valued clients, that we have been able to become Western Kentucky’s Community Bank! We recognize our role as a Community Bank in the communities we serve. We believe in supporting and giving back to these communities and focus our corporate giving in the areas specifically designed to assist youth, improve education, aide community development and support the arts. Please join us in going down memory lane from our humble beginnings to our current financial institution employing over 300 team members.

Original Bank of Benton building in downtown Benton, Kentucky in 1890.
Original founders of the Bank of Benton in 1890
original vault from the Bank of Benton in 1890.

1890

Bank of Benton chartered and incorporated (First bank established in Marshall County). Pictured is The Bank of Benton's first vault.

$26,221.46 in assets at year-end

Front of Bank of Benton building in Aurora, Kentucky in 1972

1972

Aurora Banking Center Opened

$26,486,000

Front view of Bank of Benton at 1012 Main Street in Benton, KY in 1966.

1966

Bank of Benton moved to 1012 Main Street

$13,111,000

Attendees overlooking table of watermelon at the first Bank of Benton Watermelon Bust in 1974.
Front of Bank of Benton building in Draffenville, Kentucky in 1974

1974

Draffenville Banking Center Opened

$30,722,000

Benton Bancorp Logo

1974

First Watermelon Bust

$30,722,000

1981

Benton Bancorp (Holding Company) Formed

$70,338,000

CFSB Investments Logo

1985

Formation of CFSB Investments

$86,762,000

Bank of Benton operations building in Benton, Kentucky in 1988

1988

Operations Building Opened

$133,290,000

Front of Calvert Bank building in Calvert City, Kentucky in 1987

1987

Benton Bancorp Purchased Calvert Bank

$121,122,000

CFS Inc Logo
Bank of Benton Fifth Street Banking center in 1999 in Benton, Kentucky

1997

Benton Bancorp Changed to Community Financial Services Inc.

$187,388,000

CFSB Calvert City Banking Center in 2001 in Calvert City, Kentucky

1999

Fifth Street Banking Center Opened

$223,921,000

2001