Daniel WalkerExecutive ChairmanFarmers & Merchants Bank
W. Henry WalkerCEOFarmers & Merchants Bank
WHY: Fourth generation of Walkers to work at the bank, which was opened in 1907 by his great-grandfather C.J. Walker and has risen to one of OC’s most prominent banks with $4.5B deposits. Big believer in branch model, with 15 in OC alone.
IN THE NEWS: Bank shares rose about 25% from August to October this year as Fed Reserve cut interest rates; has $875M market cap at press time. F&M Bank provided over $3.3M in donations, sponsorships, in-kind donations and access to grant programs to over 750 organizations across Southern California in 2024.
NOTABLE: Daniel’s first job was at 14 when he ran the elevator at the institution’s headquarters in Long Beach. Henry’s first job at age 16 when he delivered gingerbread to the branches during the holidays.
QUOTABLE: “When Henry and I were hired by our grandfather, he told us ‘I expect you to work a half day.’ We didn’t realize that was 12 hours.”
—Daniel Walker
