Merchants Financial Group reported robust business growth and year-to-date net income of $8.93 million through the end of the second quarter of 2019.

Year-over-year loan growth for the Winona-based company was $111.3 million (8.2%) and deposit growth was a healthy $95.8 million (6.9%)

“As usual our strong performance during the first half of the year has resulted from a total team effort, with meaningful contributions coming from business growth throughout our footprint,” said Merchants Financial president and CEO Gregory M. Evans. “I’m tremendously proud of our entire banking team. We continue to experience strong organic growth because of bankers who stand out as difference makers in a very competitive environment.”

Net income is ahead of MFGI’s plan for 2019 by $1.1 million, but just slightly behind last year’s earnings pace by $206,944. One impact on year-over-year earnings was a necessary contribution of an additional $543,000 in loan loss reserve put aside to cushion against possible future loan stress. Contributing to the overall positive performance, three of the bank’s four regions and secondary market mortgage operation exceeded their respective income forecasts through the first six months of 2019.

“It’s our privilege to help so many individuals and families achieve their dream of home ownership,” noted Evans. “Many customers have also benefitted from the current low rate environment and reduced their mortgage payments by refinancing.”

The ownership of Merchants Financial Group is made up of its more than 440 employees and its shareholders, mostly individuals and families from southeastern Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin.

Founded in 1875 and headquartered in Winona, MN, Merchants Bank is a full-service community bank with 21 branches in southeastern Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin. The bank has more than $1.76 billion in assets.