Missouri River floodplain in summer

Our History

The history of the United State Bank began in 1922

When Lorenzo H. Gnuse, Sr.  was commissioned by the State of Missouri to assist in the liquidation of banks throughout the state that were failing due to the nationwide depression. Mr. Gnuse was sent to Durham to liquidate the Durham Savings Bank. The citizens of the community desired a new bank and Mr. Gnuse agreed to organize it. Thus, the Durham State Bank was founded

Six years later the citizens of Lewistown, Missouri approached Mr. Gnuse to charter a new bank in Lewistown after their two banks in town had failed due to the depression. Mr. Gnuse, with the help of his wife, Ida Gnuse, and brother, Solomon Gnuse, established the Lewistown State Bank in 1928. Durham State Bank and Lewistown State Bank remained open during the depression and in 1936, the two banks were merged. 

In 1973, a branch was opened in Ewing, Missouri. In 1991, another branch was opened in Edina, Missouri at which time the name of the bank was changed to United State Bank.

In March 2015, branches in Palmyra and Shelbina, Missouri were purchased under the United State Bank name.

In November 2020, another branch was purchased in Canton, Missouri becoming United State Bank's sixth branch.