Our Mission
At German American State Bank, our mission is to provide exceptional financial solutions for our customers by providing the highest quality financial products, delivered with the utmost in personalized service.
We are dedicated to community leadership, and recognize the need to earn the trust and respect of our customers, employees and shareholders alike.
We will succeed in our mission by providing the necessary economic support to the communities we serve, by maintaining a rewarding working environment for our employees, and by achieving steady, sustainable growth in earnings for our shareholders.
Our History
German American State Bank was chartered on January 21, 1907 and prides itself as being one of the oldest community banks in the state of Illinois. A group of three progressively minded individuals (Henry Coffman, Lewis Fosha, and Robert Wessels) recognized the importance of having a bank as the center of a successful community. Since the opening of the bank over 100 years ago, German American State Bank has remained committed to serving its communities of German Valley, Seward, Pecatonica, and Winnebago with products and services to help achieve the financial goals of our customers.
German American State Bank has grown from a single branch in German Valley, IL to now operating three full-service branches and a loan production office. German American State Bank opened the original Pecatonica location in 1999, Winnebago in 2005 and the Belvidere Loan Production Office in 2019. In the Fall of 2022, the Bank combined the Seward and Pecatonica branches into a new ultra-modern facility in downtown Pecatonica. Our staff includes a team of local decision-makers who recognize the importance of servicing our customers as a trusted advisor creating a personal relationship with our customers. At German American State Bank, you will meet with a staff member that can help you with your opportunities, questions, or concerns.
In 1986 with a foreword vision of the future of banking, German American State Bank and State Bank of Davis merged to form Foresight Financial Group, a multi-bank holding company. The initial goal was to gain the advantages and savings associated with larger size banks, remain competitive in a very competitive financial services marketplace, while at the same time allowing each bank to remain a stand alone bank with its own charter, management, and Board of Directors. The concept succeeded brilliantly as Foresight Financial Group has grown from the original two banks to multi-bank holding company that values and commits to community banking. In addition to German American State Bank and State Bank of Davis, the holding company also is made up of State Bank Freeport, Northwest Bank of Rockford, Lena State Bank, and State Bank of Herscher.
We invite you to stop by one our convenient locations and speak with one of our staff members. See what a community-minded bank with years of strong banking tradition and experience can do for you.