WS Chronicle

Mechanics & Farmers Bank, or M&F Bank, was chartered in 1907 and first opened its doors in 1908.  Over the next 100 plus years, the bank has expanded with branches throughout the central and western portions of the state. 

In an effort to expand its reach, the bank will hold a Black Bank Run on Saturday, April 7 at 11 a.m. at its location at 770 N. Martin Luther King Drive.

The purpose of the event is to highlight the new Dash account the bank is promoting.  The Dash account is one that is interest bearing with no monthly maintenance fees, among other benefits, if certain terms are met monthly.

Karen Williams Polite, branch manager of the MLK location, has been with the bank for 29 years and has served as branch manager since 2004.  She says the bank wants to educate the community on the things M&F bank has to offer.

“Through the years we have been trying to get the community focused on banking black,” she said.  “We just want to connect with everyone. We are a community bank and you can use your card everywhere.”

During the Black Bank Run, the bank will have music, food and information about the bank.  Polite says many people are signing up in preparation for the event and they welcome everyone to come out. To sign up, go to www.eventbrite.com and search for Black Bank Run and Winston-Salem, NC.

“We will be open to the public for any reason if they want to do some business with us,” she continued.  “We are like any other financial institution and we want people to come in and see what we can do for them.”

The bank will also hold a community appreciation day on Saturday, June 23 at 10 a.m.  There will be food, music and prizes along with the health mobile from Winston-Salem State University, dental health information and Dr. Tom Nixon from Twin City Health chiropractor practice.