In 1947, a group of public-spirited businessmen in Markle, Indiana, associated themselves to organize a bank. On September 9, 1947, the Indiana State Department of Financial Institutions and the Indiana Secretary of State granted a charter for an organization known as the State Bank of Markle (later to be called MarkleBank). MarkleBank has had a number of milestones in its history. A bank holding company, MarBanc Financial Corporation, was formed in 1984. The first branch was launched in 1987 with branches subsequently opened in 1995, 1999, 2001, 2004 and 2005. The seven locations of MarkleBank are now located in Allen, Grant, Huntington and Wells Counties in Northeast Indiana. MarkleBank has partnered with MarkleFinancial which provides brokerage and investment services through Investment Centers of America. These services are provided and available at all offices of MarkleBank. In 2005, an agreement was reached with the holding company of Grabill Bank to merge the holding companies of MarkleBank and Grabill Bank into a newly formed bank holding company, Independent Alliance Banks (IAB). The two banks continue to do business as state-chartered independent community banks. The new IAB has total assets exceeding $780 million, better enabling its two banks to compete in the northeast Indiana market. MarkleBank remains committed to independent community banking with local decision making and excellent customer service that sets it apart from other financial institutions.