About Us
Founded on January 7, 1916, with an original capital stock of $25,000, The Citizens Bank of Clovis has grown into the largest independent financial institution in East-Central New Mexico, with assets in excess of $500 million and capital exceeding $65 million. Our strong capital position reflects over a century of prudent management, financial strength, and commitment to the communities we serve.
On February 19, 1920, a group of investors led by S. J. (Sid) Boykin and A. W. Skarda organized Farmers State Bank of Clovis. Four years later, Farmers State Bank merged with The Citizens Bank, forming the institution known today as The Citizens Bank of Clovis. S. A. Jones served as president, while A. W. Skarda served as cashier. Skarda became president in 1940 and led the bank until 1967, when T. E. Willmon, Jr. assumed the presidency. Kent Carruthers became president in 1986 and guided the bank's growth for four decades.
On June 30, 2026, Jamie Esch became the fifth President in the bank's 110-year history. At that time, Kent Carruthers transitioned to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), continuing to provide strategic leadership and direction for the organization.
The bank is governed by a four-member Board of Directors consisting of J.T. Skarda, Jennifer Skarda McCann, Kent Carruthers, and Jamie Esch. Together, the Board and executive leadership remain committed to preserving the bank's legacy while positioning it for continued growth and success.
Clovis, the county seat of Curry County, New Mexico, is located just 10 miles west of the Texas border. With a city population of approximately 37,000 and a county population of nearly 48,000, Clovis serves as the commercial and financial hub for an area of approximately 140,000 residents extending north to Tucumcari, west to Santa Rosa, south to Milnesand, and east to Friona, Texas. Cannon Air Force Base is six miles west of Clovis and its extensive Melrose Bombing Range is southeast of Melrose.
The area's economy is deeply rooted in agriculture, with major commodities including wheat, grain sorghum (milo), corn, cattle, and one of the nation's premier dairy industries. Clovis is home to an outstanding community college (Clovis Community College) and is located just 18 miles from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, an excellent liberal arts institution. Clovis’ public schools and infrastructure are strong and well-regarded.
Today, The Citizens Bank of Clovis proudly serves its customers through full-service branches in Clovis, Fort Sumner, and Texico, New Mexico, along with two drive-up banking facilities in Clovis and five ATM locations. The bank also operates loan production offices in Ruidoso and Moriarty, New Mexico, and has provided professional trust services since 1956.
For more than a century, The Citizens Bank of Clovis has remained committed to the values on which it was founded—financial strength, exceptional customer service, local decision-making, and a steadfast commitment to the communities we proudly serve.