The Murray bank of Cowles & Riley opened its doors for business in the year 1884 in a square wooden building one block south of the depot. Under this management continued business until succeeded by Simmons & Co., in the latter part of the 1880's. A, D. Simmons, a member of this firm, was president until 1892 when he was succeeded by the cashier, W, B. Murray.

The Murray Bank prospered and was recognized as one of the strongest institutions in this section of Iowa. In 1900 the bank received a late pattern of the screw door, burglar proof safe, besides an elegant new glass front which indeed gave the room a handsome appearance.

After the Farmers Savings Bank closed in 1907, the Murray Bank purchased thebuilding and moved there.

N. C. Hoffman was assistant cashier and began working at the bank in 1892. Mattie Martindale and Arthur Lochrie were also employed in the bank as bookkeepers. Other employees of the bank were — R. A. Walters Acct., Flo Martindale, Joe Hoffman, Walter Hamm, Galen Guthrie, Audry Kane, Donald Hickman. The bank was forced to close Dec. 1930.

Murray Farmers Savings Bank was located where the present bank is with A. R. Burnett president, J, A. Friday vice president. Other employees of the bank were — Mr. Oxford, C. A. Mannasmith cashier, C, H. Dewey, A. C. Gladys Brown, Alice Johnson Flaherty. The bank was forced to close in 1931.

From 1902-1907 Wm. Taylor and Charles Donner had the Citizens Bank, having built the brick building to house it that is presently the post office.

The Murray Branch of the Clarke County State Bank has been in operation since 1937. The managers since that time have been — Flo Martindale, Ross Gould, Jesse McCallum, and the present manager Betty Jackson.

Murray Branch Clarke State Bank

Murray Bank

Murray bank when located where the post office is at present.

N. C. Hoffman and Joe Hoffman at the windows, Geo. Lochrie in the chair.

Betty Jackson, present bank manager.