Merchants Bank of Rugby was chartered August 4, 1897 by Henry Erickson and William D. McClintock of Towner and John W. Davis of Kalispell, Montana. Henry Erickson was the first president and W. D. McClintock was the Cashier. The descendents of W.D. McClintock continue to own Merchants Bank to this day. The original capital structure was $5,000.00 in capital stock and deposits were $3,927.07.
On October 14, 2011, Merchants Bank acquired the Fairview, Montana branch of First Security Bank-West.
On February 19, 2018, Merchants Bank acquired the Towner, Granville and Upham, North Dakota branches of Western State Bank.
Merchants Bank is an independent community bank committed to maintaining safe and sound banking practices, play a proactive role in improving the Rugby, Towner, Granville, Upham, and Fairview communities and providing the highest degree of customer service possible.