Murphy-Wall State Bank Celebrates 150 Year Anniversary

Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company will be celebrating our 150th Anniversary with an Open House on Friday, November 8, 2024, at each of our banking locations. See the below schedule for celebration hours:

Pinckneyville Corporate Office: 2:00p.m. – 5:00p.m.

Murphysboro: 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

Elkville: 9:00a.m. – 1:00p.m.

Carterville: 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

Marion: 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company, the oldest bank in Perry County, Illinois, was established in 1874 by William Kinney Murphy, (W. K. Murphy), George W. Wall, and George W. Parker. This year, in 2024, the Bank is celebrating its 150th anniversary in business. Initially, the Bank operated under the names “The Exchange Bank of Murphy, Wall and Company” and “Murphy, Wall and Company, Bankers.” In 1907, it was incorporated as a state bank. Murphy-Wall State Bank formed a one-bank holding company, Murphy-Wall Bancorp, Incorporated, in April 1994.

Since its establishment, the Bank has occupied three different buildings. For the first 33 years, business was conducted on the north side of Pinckneyville’s public square. In 1907, a new building was erected at 17 West Water Street to house the banking operation. On March 28, 1983, the Bank moved to its current headquarters’ location at 105 East Water Street, Pinckneyville. This facility introduced many modern conveniences, such as a twenty-four-hour teller machine, two drive-up windows, an outside walk-up window, and a night depository.
The Murphy family’s history in Perry County dates to before the Revolutionary War, with John Murphy (grandfather of W. K. Murphy) being a soldier who fought on the side of the patriots. The family settled in Perry County, Illinois, in 1818. William Kinney Murphy, born on July 20, 1835, in Perry County, was a prominent pioneer, banker, attorney, businessman, and farmer. Prior to Murphy-Wall, his leadership was instrumental in establishing several banks in Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee. He served as the president of Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company from its establishment in 1874 until his death in 1911.

The role of Chairman of Murphy-Wall’s Board of Directors has always been held by a member of W. K. Murphy’s lineage showcasing the deep commitment of the Murphy/Crawford family to the Bank’s success. Matthew Bigham, great-great-great grandson of W.K. Murphy, and grandnephew of the previous Chairman, J. Joeseph Crawford, assumed the responsibilities of Chairman of the Board in 2020. The Bank’s day-to-day leadership remained closely tied to the original family until 1991, with presidents including W. K. Murphy (1874-1911), Joseph Crawford (1911-1923), W. K. Crawford (1923-1976), Robert J. Crawford (1976-1990), and W. K. Crawford, Jr. (1990-1991.) In 1991, Clark K. Bush (1991-2000) was the first non-family related person appointed as President. Marty Davis was appointed as President in 2000 and remains the current President/CEO.

Throughout its history, Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company has withstood wars, pandemics, financial panics, and depressions, adapting to changes in financial and monetary systems. In times of conflict, the bank actively participated by purchasing Liberty Bonds and War Savings Bonds for its own account and on behalf of its customers.
Murphy-Wall State Bank has witnessed numerous industry changes since its founding. These include banking deregulation and technological advancements, from manual typewriters and adding machines to computers, teller terminals, and the most advanced high tech banking products available. As the first bank in Perry County on the internet, Murphy-Wall State Bank embraced the advent of online commerce at www.murphywall.com. The bank has consistently sought to offer the best possible service to the community, maintaining a modern and forward-thinking approach. What once was a single banking operation in the small town of Pinckneyville, Murphy-Wall has expanded to a five-branch regional operation serving multiple counties and communities in Southern Illinois.

Murphy-Wall State Bank has enjoyed continuous growth and expansion. From its total resources of $76,585.88 in 1881, the bank’s assets have multiplied to approximately $160,000,000.00 today. The bank’s officers, directors, and stockholders deeply appreciate the confidence and goodwill shown by the citizens of Southern Illinois over the past 150 years. As Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company celebrates this milestone in 2024, they look forward to continuing their tradition of service to the public. Now considered one of Southern Illinois’ leading regional banks, Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company continues to provide banking with TLC – Tradition, Leadership, and Commitment – into the twenty-first century and beyond.

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