The history of First Financial Bankshares dates back to 1890, when Farmers and Merchants National Bank opened for business in Abilene, Texas.

The bank withstood many challenges in its early history, including the money panic of 1907 and the Great Depression of the 1930’s. In fact, it was the only Abilene bank to survive the depression without being merged, closed or recapitalized.

In 1957, responding to a more diversified economy, the name Farmers and Merchants National Bank was changed to First National Bank, Abilene. In 1973, the shareholders formed First Abilene Bankshares, Inc. (now First Financial Bankshares, Inc.) as a multi-bank holding company.

First Financial Bankshares first initiated a program of growth through acquisition when it acquired Hereford State Bank, Hereford, Texas, and Bank of Commerce in Abilene in 1974. First Financial Bank, Sweetwater, was acquired in 1981, and Eastland National Bank was acquired in 1982. In the 1980’s, oil and real estate values collapsed, bringing economic difficulties to the Texas marketplace. Throughout this turbulent period, more than 500 Texas banks failed or required FDIC reorganization assistance with new ownership. First Financial Bankshares enjoyed an enviable record of stability and strength and was named one of the safest banking organizations in the U.S. in 1990, one of only two organizations in Texas to receive that distinction.

Changes in branching laws in 1986 brought further expansion. First National Bank, Abilene was the first Abilene bank to establish branch operations. In 1987, First National bought American National Bank of Abilene, making it First National Bank – South, and built its second branch on Judge Ely Blvd. Bank of Commerce in Abilene was merged into First National and became its River Oaks branch in 1989.

The expansion of First Financial Bankshares continued with the acquisition of First National Bank in Cleburne in 1990 and Stephenville Bank & Trust Co. in 1993. In October 1993, the company changed its name from First Abilene Bankshares to First Financial Bankshares to better reflect the scope of operations, and the company was listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the trading symbol FFIN.

The acquisition of Southwest Bank of San Angelo followed in 1994. The former Citizens State Bank of Roby was acquired by First Financial Bank, Sweetwater, and converted to a branch location in mid-1995. In 1996, The Citizens National Bank of Weatherford and The Weatherford National Bank were acquired and merged under the charter of Weatherford National Bank.

In 1997, the acquisition of Texas Commerce Bank-San Angelo was completed and was merged with Southwest Bank of San Angelo. The bank was rechartered as San Angelo National Bank. Texas National Bank, Southlake, joined First Financial Bankshares later in the same year.

Cleburne State Bank, with locations in Cleburne, and nearby Alvarado was acquired in December 1998. Cleburne Sate Bank and First National Bank in Cleburne were then merged in March 1999. On January 2, 2001, First National Bank in Cleburne, changed its name to First Financial Bank, National Association, Cleburne. The acquisition of First Financial Bank, Mineral Wells, was finalized July 3, 2001. On January 2, 2002, Texas National Bank, Southlake, opened a branch location in Keller and changed its name to First Financial Bank, National Association, Southlake. The name changes in Cleburne and Southlake were designed to reflect the expansion of the banks’ product offerings, help our brand image and broaden our market in these very vibrant sections of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Organizational changes in 2003 strengthened First Financial's infrastructure and built a stronger foundation for growth. In January 2003, the Company formed First Technology Services, Inc., which provides technology services across the First Financial family of banks. In October 2003, the Company formed First Financial Trust & Asset Management Company, N.A. to provide trust and asset management services to the growing family of First Financial banks and to customers throughout Texas. Trust departments from First Financial banks in Abilene, Sweetwater, San Angelo and Stephenville were consolidated into the new trust company.

One of the most active periods of expansion in the Company's history occurred in 2004 and 2005. In July 2004, First Financial completed the acquisition of Liberty National Bank in Granbury. That was followed in December 2004 with the acquisition of First National Bank in Glen Rose. Both of these banks were merged into nearby First Financial Bank, N.A., Stephenville, to form a stronger regional bank that today has assets in of approximately $300 million and six banking locations. On February 1, 2005, the Company completed the acquisition of the Peoples State Bank in Clyde. Peoples State Bank's locations in Clyde and Moran joined First National Bank of Abilene to become First Financial Bank, N.A., Abilene, Clyde, Moran. Peoples State Bank's branches in Rising Star and Ranger became part of First Financial Bank, Eastland, to become the leading bank in Eastland County. Wrapping up an eventful year, First Financial completed its acquisition of First National Bank of Bridgeport in December 2005 and merged it with First Financial Bank, N.A., Southlake, which now has six banking locations in fast-growing northern Tarrant and Wise counties.

First Financial Bankshares continues to grow and change to meet the needs of its customers, employees and shareholders. In the spring of 2005, the Company launched the "Customer Service First" initiative, an ongoing program designed to ensure that the Company continues to offer excellence in customer service. In October 2005, the Company created a new multicultural development initiative, to better serve the needs of Hispanic, African-American and other multicultural customers.