SATURDAY, SEP TEMBER 19, 2020 • KOKOMO TR I BUNE PROGRESS EDI T ION
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F
irst Farmers Bank & Trust has been
proudly serving local farmers, busi-
nesses, and families for 135 years.
Since Mark Tully originally opened shop in
Xenia (now Converse) in 1885, the bank has
been committed to providing financial
services to rural Midwestern towns. From
those early beginnings, First Farmers Bank
& Trust has evolved into the dynamic
network of 34 locations, many of which
support and serve rural communities very
similar to their original roots.
Many people associate First Farmers
with agriculture, and leaders at the bank
are proud of its farming roots and empha-
size their continued commitment to the ag
industry today. Many of the employees at
the bank come from farm families and have
grown up in 4-H. Their understanding of
this necessary and complex industry has
been learned over a lifetime of immersion in
Indiana agriculture.
“Long term viability in farming
depends on operational continuity.
At First Farmers Bank & Trust, our
central goal is to help clients
maintain continuity by isolating
and mitigating key components of
risk year over year. We’re
committed to be the best partner
available in this industry
regardless of the economic
uncertainties that are inherent to
agriculture.”
- Jeff Rodibaugh, SVP
Chief Agricultural Lender
W
hile First Farmers does proudly
serve the agriculture industry, there
is more to this bank than what its
name infers. First Farmers also serves local
businesses with both commercial lending
and business deposit accounts. While 2020
has proven challenging on many levels, the
bank has been able to help new and
existing clients through the Payroll Protec-
tion Program, allowing businesses to keep
staff on the payroll even during the uncer-
tainty faced over the past few months. First
Farmers is also one of the few banks autho-
rized to participate in the Main Street
Lending program, and it is hopeful that
between these programs and more tradi-
tional financing options, local businesses,
families and economies will not only make
it through 2020 intact, but will thrive into
tomorrow.
“All of us at First Farmers Bank
and Trust recognize the important
role that business plays in our
local communities. From
providing jobs to keeping dollars
in the local economy, businesses
are an essential part of every
town we’re a part of. We’re proud
to work with the people behind
these businesses that provide the
goods and services we all benefit
from on a daily basis. In today’s
world, we strive to be the
financial partner that our
business clients know they can
count on to work towards
financial solutions together.”
– Cary Mawbey, SVP,
Chief Commercial Lending Officer
F
rom farms to local businesses, ulti-
mately First Farmers serves local
families. The bank provides all the
products and services you would expect:
checking and savings accounts, mortgage
and home equity loans, mobile and online
banking, and list the goes on, what they
seek to be the best at is building relation-
ships. The bank is determined to make
banking as easy and convenient as possible,
while maintaining that personal touch that
is too often lost in today’s customer service.
“Today’s banking customer
rightfully expects access to
their money through the most
innovative banking products
and services available. We are
determined to provide that
while also providing a truly
exceptional experience that
enhances the value we offer
those relationships through
personalized solutions.”
– Cherie Planalp, SVP,
Chief Retail Officer
O
riginally, First Farmers had planned
to focus the entire year of 2020 on the
135 year milestone, and it has played
a consistent part in the bank’s outreach and
communications this year. However, due to
the unexpected challenges posed by
COVID-19, and the repercussions it has had
on the economy, a somewhat different sto-
ryline emerged. In April, the bank rolled
out it’s Growing Good initiatives. There
have been three major parts to Growing
Good: Pigs to People to Pork, Community
Foundation donations, and the In This
Together campaign. Of course, giving back,
whether through charitable donations or
time commitments is not new to 2020 at
First Farmers. The bank has always strived
to not just be part of the communities they
serve, but to be a positive and active force
that makes them stronger. When First
Farmers saw the every day heroes stepping
up to the challenge posed by COVID-19,
they wanted to do their part to recognize
those individuals and offer what support
they could.
First Farmers Bank & Trust, in partner-
ship with pork producers and processors
throughout the state, initiated a direct
assistance program to provide protein to
food banks throughout Indiana and eastern
Illinois. “Pigs to People to Pork “was estab-
lished due to the bank’s unique awareness of
several processes taking place as a result of
COVID-19, causing a dramatic disruption in
the availability of protein to those in need.
Following the shutdown of major processing
plants in the area, producers faced few or
no options in the market. Less processing
meant less pork on grocery shelves available
to the public and therefore even less protein
available to food banks providing for those
in need.
Chief Agricultural Lending Officer, Jeff
Rodibaugh, and other key bank personnel
created an ad hoc network of farmers and
local processors willing to donate or dra-
matically reduce livestock and processing
costs. Partnering with state not-for-profit
“Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry” allowed for
an exponentially greater impact.
“During this time of uncertainty,
our lending team called on their
lifelong relationships to find the
compassion of local processing
owners and staffs to put in extra
hours to process pigs that are
getting precariously big for their
stressed owners into one-pound
ground pork packages for the
people of our communities. We
are in the relationship business of
Agriculture and our passionate
commitment to our people is what
sets us apart at First Farmers. It is
the hope of our employees,
processors and pig farmers that
through our “Pigs to People to
Pork” partnership with Hoosiers
Feeding the Hungry that we will
provide a smile to a person or
child that was looking for a meal
this week.”
– Jeff Rodibaugh,
Chief Agricultural Lending Officer
“Our various partners in the pork
industry were immediately aware
of what a major processing
shutdown would create and were
quick to act to help others. To
witness so many people extend
good will during time of crisis is
humbling and inspirational.”
– Tade Powell, Senior Vice President,
Communications, First Farmers Bank & Trust
F
ollowing this effort, the bank quickly
announced a community outreach ini-
tiative that worked directly with
community foundations within their
market area. The bank’s branch staff joined
the mix of Growing Good as well, with
their goal to recognize, encourage, and cel-
ebrate local heroes. Over a six week
timeframe, the local branches bought
lunches, delivered cookies, donated
supplies to animal shelters, and much
more.
You can learn more about the Growing
Good initiatives by visiting the bank’s
website at
.
W
hen the bank looks back on 2020,
they want to remember it as a year
where challenges were met and
overcome, relationships were strengthened,
and communities came together like never
before. According to Mark “Doc” Holt, Pres-
ident of First Farmers Bank & Trust, the
bank is determined that success will be
evident not just financially, but in being able
to say they’ve lived up to the core values
that Mark Tully started 135 years ago.
“Today, we are committed to
being a resource for our
communities, a helping hand and
a willing partner for the work
ahead. When we question what
the next right thing to do is, we’ll
stay true to our roots. Farms.
Family. Community.”
– Mark “Doc” Holt, President
Celebrating 135 years
First Farmers Bank & Trust has served the community since 1885
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