John Crocker was the president of The Farmers and Merchants Bank in Bruce when he brokered the deal with Merchants and Farmers. He has much banking experience and is a good local banker. He apparently, like others, thought Merchants and Farmers was on good footing. He bought many of its shares over the years.

Yes, the mess rides on Potts' shoulders. He possibly listened to the wrong people, and then the recession showed its ugly face. Without the recession, the bank, and many business would still be making money. My thoughts.

I'm not an insider, so I don't have an clue about the future for M&F. But, whatever,from my viewpoint it doesn't look good.