By Mary Alice Murphy

In a letter to customers received this week, AmBank announced it would merge with First American Bank on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014.

Since 2008, AmBank has been owned by First Artesia Bancshares, Inc., a New Mexico corporation, which also owns First American Bank.

First American Bank was chartered in 1903, and is the fourth oldest community bank, as well as the seventh largest bank in New Mexico.

The letter, signed by AmBank President Mike Trujillo, states that the merger is important to the bank's continued growth and the ability to better serve its customers in their banking needs. The merger allows customers to access the 18 banking centers across the state.

Service at the local, Bayard and Hurley branches will continue to feature the same people customers have been working with for years. To make the merger as trouble-free as possible for customers, they may continue to use the checks, as well as ATM and debit cards they have now, until they expire or must be reordered.

"Although our name will change, our service and commitment to Grant County never will," Trujillo wrote in the letter. "We remain a financially strong and stable New Mexico community bank that is well-capitalized, due to our safe, common-sense bank practices."

Editor's Note: AmBank is one of the original supporters and the longest-running advertiser on The Grant County Beat. We thank the bank for its strong community support.