The Bank of Wiggins has served Stone County, Mississippi, since it first opened its doors on December 4, 1916. Its founding is steeped in local lore, as the bank’s early leadership famously faced logistical challenges, including a lack of electrical service and the need for staff to manually record all transactions by pencil. Murphy Cooper, who began as a cashier at the institution's inception, became a defining figure in its history, eventually serving as its president for decades and overseeing massive growth. In its first year, the bank held just over $30,000 in total assets; however, through periods of both regional prosperity and natural disasters—such as Hurricane Camille in 1969 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005—the bank demonstrated remarkable resilience. By the time of its centennial celebrations, it had grown its assets to hundreds of millions of dollars. For the first fifty-six years of its existence, it was the only bank operating within Stone County, cementing its status as an essential part of the community’s infrastructure. Today, it operates multiple branches and maintains a strong commitment to its motto, "Safety and Service since 1916," offering a full range of modern banking products while preserving its historical legacy as a dedicated community partner.