DOWNEY - Farmers & Merchants Bank is opening a new location in Downey, a 3,900-square-foot branch next to the Starbucks at Lakewood and Firestone boulevards."We believe the close-knit Downey area is an ideal new location for Farmers & Merchants Bank," said Daniel K. Walker, the bank's chairman of the board and CEO. "We're confident this community will benefit from a strong community bank, and with F&M excelling in relationship banking for more than a century, we are happy to open our doors in Downey to provide this level of service for those who live here and those whose businesses are in the city." F&M officials said their arrival in Downey comes as a long-term investor, not a short-term tenant. In fact, they said they are "supportive of community events already, including the annual Arc Walk for Independence." "This is the way F&M does things - viewing community real estate investments as our commitment to stay for the long haul," said bank president W. Henry Walker. "We believe it is our civic duty to invest in the communities that we serve." John Casillas, formerly of OneWest Bank, is the branch manager. "John has more than 20 years of experience in banking and has been active in the Kiwanis Club of Downey, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, so we are excited for the community to welcome him in this new role at F&M," said Walker. A grand opening event is scheduled for January.

********** Published: Oct. 24, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 28