Hawthorn Bank Merges with FSC Bancshares, Inc., Expands Missouri Footprint

By Will Crow

Hawthorn Bank announced it has merged with FSC Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiary, Farmers State Bank. Photo credit: Hawthorn Bank.

Posted September 10, 2026

Jefferson City, Missouri-based Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc., has completed its merger with FSC Bancshares, Inc.

Hawthorn officially merged FSC into its operations on September 3. As part of the merger, Hawthorn absorbed FSC and its wholly owned banking subsidiary, Cameron, Missouri bansed-Farmers State Bank, according to a release.

The combined company now has total assets of approximately $2.2 billion.

Hawthorn Bank will now work to integrate Farmers State Bank into its platform and expects customer conversion to take place in Q1 2027. With the acquisition complete, Hawthorn Bank now operates twenty-seven banking locations across northern, central, western, and mid-Missouri, with one location in Kansas.

“This partnership allows us to bring greater resources, expanded financial solutions, and enhanced capabilities to customers while preserving the relationship-based service and community focus that define both organizations,” Brent Giles, Hawthorn CEO, said in the release.

Raymond James & Associates, Inc. served as financial advisor to Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc., and Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP served as its legal counsel. Northland Capital Markets served as financial advisor to FSC Bancshares, Inc., and Stinson LLP served as its legal counsel.