In 1871, nine men began organizing what is now known as Southern Michigan Bank & Trust. The bank had its beginnings in Coldwater, the Branch County seat.

The bank was incorporated and opened for business in early 1872 in S.M. Steeley's bank rooms located in the Southern Michigan Hotel building next to the public square. It was felt that the bank needed its own building so land was cleared on the corner of Monroe and Chicago Street and construction began. Southern Michigan National Bank opened its doors at its new location in July 1872.

In 1929 the stock market crashed, forever changing the banking industry. President Roosevelt called a banking holiday, but SMNB did not close its doors. Due to careful management, the bank officers knew that their bank could pay off anyone that walked through their doors.

During the Great Depression, many banks suffered. Southern Michigan National Bank, however, remained strong throughout that difficult period. There were no governmental bonds, either municipal, county or school that were ever defaulted on.

In 1992, Southern Michigan National Bank changed to Southern Michigan Bank & Trust.

Throughout Southern Michigan Bank & Trust's 125-year history, service has always been the key to its success. As SMB&T moves into the next millennium, one thing its customers can always count on is that they will enjoy Banking As It Should Be.