ST. LOUIS – First Bank has filed a federal lawsuit against First Bankers, alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition in the St. Louis market.
FB Corporation filed the lawsuit in federal court against First Bankers Trustshares, and First Bankers Trust Company (First Bankers), citing violations of federal trademark infringement, federal unfair competition, Missouri common law unfair competition, and Missouri dilution.
According to court documents, the FB Corporation owns and operates First Bank, a St. Louis-based family-owned bank. The company, founded in 1906 as Creve Coeur Bank and later rebranded as First Bank in 1986, has a strong presence in the St. Louis region and has expanded its services beyond Missouri to Illinois, Kansas, California, and Texas.
FB claims First Bankers recently entered the St. Louis market and began using the names "First Bankers Trust Company" and "First Bankers," which closely resembled First Bank's trademark. FB claims First Bankers' use of the similar name is likely to cause consumer confusion and is an attempt to trade on the goodwill and established name of First Bank in the St. Louis market.
FB is seeking an injunction prohibiting First Bankers from using the similar name and conducting business in the St. Louis area, as well as an order to destroy or remove any materials bearing trademark infringing marks in the St. Louis Area. Additionally, FB is seeking a judgment for damages up to three times the amount found as actual damages, plus interest, attorney fees, court costs and other relief. FB is being represented by B. Scott Eidson, Julie C. Scheipeter and John R. Schroeder of Stinson in St. Louis and by Adrianna Chavez in Phoenix, Arizona.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missour case number 423-cv-01348