Content paid for by First Farmer’s Bank & Trust
As the name suggests, First Farmers Bank & Trust originally started out as an agricultural bank in 1885, serving local businesses, families and farms. Since its inception, the bank’s mission has been to deliver personalized financial services that foster a commitment to the relationships that serve and grow their communities.
“We’re extremely proud of the bank’s tradition and history,” says Tade Powell, senior vice president of communications and public relations. “However, the organization has changed quite a bit in the last 20 years, particularly as we have moved into larger markets.”
Over time, several significantly larger banks retracted from key market areas like Kokomo, Marion and Peru. Although First Farmers is still heavily involved in meeting agricultural customers’ lending, deposit and financial needs, the evolution of the organization has allowed them to enter major metropolitan markets like northern metro Indy, Lafayette and Terre Haute. As First Farmers has gotten increasingly involved in these newer metro markets, many have appreciated the bank’s concierge style of service.
“We accommodate our clients in a way that they feel valued, they feel heard, and they understand that we’re trying to help in every way possible,” Powell says.
This means that instead of putting their customers in a box, they think outside the box to come up with timely alternative solutions.
“We tailor solutions to the customer rather than trying to fit the customer into a box, as all customer needs are different from each other,” says Matt Maher, Hamilton County regional president of First Farmers Bank & Trust. “This really strengthens our relationships with our customers.”
Originally from Kokomo, Maher moved to Westfield three years ago. Maher, who has spent most of his career in commercial real estate lending, is on the IU Center for Real Estate Studies advisory board. He has been with the bank for more than five years, currently located at the bank’s branch in Carmel at 117th and Pennsylvania. A new 3,300-square-foot Carmel branch is being erected that will offer an urban blend that is crisp, clean and modern.
“Our downtown Lafayette office is an example of this type of footprint, and this location will also be very visible in a great area,” says Mark “Doc” Holt, president and CEO of First Farmers Bank & Trust.
The new Carmel branch, which is set to open in March, will be located on Rangeline Road, across from the Indiana Design Center. The bank will be located on the first floor, along with 1933 Lounge.
“We chose this location because this area is going to be a destination for the community,” Holt says. “We like the idea of interweaving ourselves right into the heart of the downtown district of Carmel that’s hopping with foot traffic.”
This location not only provides increased visibility, but also the promise of getting involved with small area businesses and the community at large.
“When our teams interact with the community in all facets, that’s when our business model truly clicks,” Powell says. “Even if we aren’t your bank, we want to be part of what’s going on in your area.”
First Farmers recently signed an agreement to be the official banking partner for the Indy Fuel and the Fishers Freight. They’re also on the board of OneZone Chamber of Commerce.
“Being active in our local communities has been an important part of our company’s history, and we plan to continue that as we grow throughout Indiana,” Maher says.
This Carmel office will offer full-service banking that will include lending, credit, portfolio management, treasury management, mortgage banking, wealth management and retail. The team includes several longtime employees who care deeply about the communities in which they live and serve. For instance, Doug Hill, vice president, senior commercial lender, possesses a diverse banking background, having focused on commercial and industrial (C&I) lending as well as ag lending.
“We want to continue to grow the C&I and small-business lending here in the area,” Maher says.
Hill has lived in Carmel his whole life, so he has created good ties in and around Carmel. Tim Haak, vice president, business development officer, is a longtime Zionsville resident, was the first mayor of Zionsville, and has been with First Farmers for nearly two years.
Greta Notz, treasury management officer, is helping the bank expand its reach into deposits. Alice Rexing, vice president, commercial loan portfolio manager, has been with the organization for more than a decade.
“The number of employees and loan officers we’ll have in the Carmel branch will make it our third-largest employee branch, and we’ll have 38 branches by then,” Holt says. “We’re making a big commitment to this branch, and we’re really excited about our team.”
While First Farmers is a $3.3 billion bank, they still provide that down-home community bank feel.
“When people bank with us, they get that personal touch, yet we can still handle our customers’ larger lending needs, which puts us right in that sweet spot,” Maher says. “We truly value customer relationships because we’re a relationship bank.”
“We’re trying to be reactive and reflective to what people expect of a bank now,” Powell says. “As clients have evolved in the way they like to do business, we try to provide a space that’s accommodating. At First Farmers Bank & Trust, we all work in our respective specialties and as a team to provide stellar service that far exceeds our clients’ expectations. We look forward to meeting them at our new Carmel branch.”
First Farmers Bank & Trust’s newest branch in Carmel will be located at 111 South Rangeline Road. For more information, visit ffbt.com.
