Monroe County History: Merel Keck led Monroe Bank & Trust's growth

Tom Adamich
·3 min read

Merel Keck personified community service and opportunity in post-World War II Monroe County as he ascended the corporate ladder at what is now First Merchants Bank. He was born on May 25, 1928, in Goin, Tennessee – the son of John H. and Madie (Johnson) Keck. Merel Keck spent much of his formative teen years in Monroe when the family moved there in 1942.

Merel Keck rose in the ranks at what was Monroe State Savings Bank, beginning in 1953, to become the president of what became Monroe Bank & Trust in 1970. Today, the bank is known as First Merchants Bank and serves customers throughout Monroe County.
Merel Keck rose in the ranks at what was Monroe State Savings Bank, beginning in 1953, to become the president of what became Monroe Bank & Trust in 1970. Today, the bank is known as First Merchants Bank and serves customers throughout Monroe County.

After graduation from Monroe High School in 1946, Merel Keck started what became a 46-year career at Monroe State Savings Bank (later Monroe Bank & Trust and now First Merchants Bank) as a teller in 1953. Prior to that, he married the former Maggie M. Lambert in Monroe in 1951 and established his strong faith at Monroe Missionary Baptist Church, where he was baptized, served as a trustee, deacon, usher, the Sunday School superintendent and also taught Sunday School over a 48-year period. He later served as a charter member of Heritage Baptist Church when it opened in 2008 where he served as a trustee.

Merel Keck rose quickly through the ranks at Monroe State Savings Bank and was part of its many innovations in the 1950s, including drive-in banking, bank check/signature imaging, and check proofing – all key contributors to the bank’s success as a leader in Monroe County during the period. Merel Keck became assistant cashier in 1958 after completing studies at the University of Michigan School of Banking in 1957.

A demonstration of the new check proofing technology used at Monroe State Savings Bank (now First Merchants Bank), circa 1950s, is pictured.
A demonstration of the new check proofing technology used at Monroe State Savings Bank (now First Merchants Bank), circa 1950s, is pictured.

It was during this time in his early banking career that Merel Keck began what became an equally successful career of community service, including achieving the rank of 32nd Degree Mason and joining Masonic Lodge No. 27 F&AM (where he became a life member). He also joined the Monroe Commandery No. 19, River Raisin Council No. 4, Valley of Detroit Shriners and the Scottish Rite.

Merel Keck and Maggie also started their family – Merel Keck Jr. and Debi Keck-Nieswender. The younger Keck married wife Lezli and produce two sons – Jonathon (Andrea) Keck and Michael Keck. While the kids were still young, Merel Keck ascended to assistant vice president, 1963-65; vice president commercial lending, 1965-69; and executive vice president, 1969-70. He assumed the presidency of what became Monroe Bank & Trust in 1970.

It was in the 1970s that Monroe Bank & Trust saw exponential growth in both its commercial lending and general banking operations. Merel Keck laid the foundation for what would be its expansion throughout Monroe County and, eventually, into Wayne County – although the latter did not take place until he retired in 1998.

The microfiche check and signature imaging technology available at Monroe State Savings Bank (now First Merchants Bank), circa 1950s, is pictured.
The microfiche check and signature imaging technology available at Monroe State Savings Bank (now First Merchants Bank), circa 1950s, is pictured.

Retirement would not slow Merel Keck down as he continued his volunteer and philanthropic efforts, including serving as member of or past president of many boards in Monroe, Monroe County, and statewide, including: the Monroe YMCA, March of Dimes, Monroe Industrial Club, Mercy Memorial Hospital, Community Foundation, Masonic Temple Board, Junior Achievement, Polio Board, Michigan Baptist Foundation, State Bank Supervisors of Michigan, Community Bankers Association of Michigan and Small World Christian Child Care Center.

His memberships included: associate member of the Fraternal Order of Police Monroe, M Club, Wolverine Club, NRA, Gideon's, and the Monroe Golf and Country Club.

Merel Keck also received a number of awards, including Monroe County Minute Man Award for the state of Michigan and Meritorious Award from the Monroe County Fair Board.

The features of the new drive-in at Monroe State Savings Bank (now First Merchants Bank) in Monroe, circa 1950s, are shown. The bank operated drive-in locations in Monroe, Ida, Petersburg and Temperance. Today, there are drive-in facilities in Carleton, Dundee and Milan in addition to a number of First Merchants ATMs.
The features of the new drive-in at Monroe State Savings Bank (now First Merchants Bank) in Monroe, circa 1950s, are shown. The bank operated drive-in locations in Monroe, Ida, Petersburg and Temperance. Today, there are drive-in facilities in Carleton, Dundee and Milan in addition to a number of First Merchants ATMs.

Merel and Maggie Keck established the Merel F. Keck and Maggie M. Keck Scholarship via the Community Foundation of Monroe. The applicant must be a male graduate of any Monroe County, Michigan, high school and maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Tom Adamich is president of Visiting Librarian Service, a firm he has operated since 1993. He also is project archivist for the Greening Nursery Co. and Family Archives and the electric vehicle awareness coordinator at Monroe County Community College.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County History: Merel Keck led Monroe Bank & Trust's growth