FFB&T Newsroom

Annual Ag Client Seminar 2013

On February 19th, First Farmers hosted the 18th Annual Agricultural Client Seminar at the Roseburg Event Center. It was a great day! There were over 200 clients and employees in attendance of the event along with four excellent speakers. We were very impressed with the turnout of guests as well as the messages that were presented from our speakers.

 

The day began with Ken Perkins giving his touching testimony from his recent trip to Laos. His message revealed just how different farming is in different areas of the world. Ken and his team for years have been able to teach farmers in other countries new farming practices to ensure productivity and sustainability. Next, Kevin Elder from the Ohio Department of Agriculture shared some interesting insights about environmental impact mandates and some of the farming practices that will help farmers comply with them.

 

Scott Beck from Beck's Hybrids spoke about trait genetics and how new products and services offered through Beck's would benefit plant productivity.

 

The keynote speaker for the event was Max Armstrong, anchor of Farm Progress Broadcast. With much experience as a broadcaster, Max was able to provide the audience with entertainment as well as interesting industry information. He spoke on many topics such as agriculture within schools, the role that agriculture plays in government, as well as sharing some of his own experiences
working in the ag industry.

 

In addition to FFBT customers from Indiana as well as Illinois, we also had a wide variety of industry professionals that attended the event. Representatives came from Farm State Agency and Extension Offices, State Ag Offices, as well as many ag industry partners. It is exciting to see the variety of people that we have attend the event each year!

 

 

Above and Beyond Service

Not only is First Farmers dedicated to serving our customers, we are also willing to go above and beyond for our four legged friends as well! Ashley Howell and Stephanie Koepke from our Kokomo North branch were able to save a lab puppy from running out onto the busy highway on February 20.

Stephanie noticed the puppy roaming around in the parking lot and decided that it was probably alright to leave it be, until she saw her walking out towards US 31!  Acting quickly, Stephanie ran out and was able to keep the pup from the road. She and Ashley kept her in the branch until they could locate the owner.

Ashley states that this was quite a task because the owner could not be found even after multiple Facebook posts, local radio announcements, and even calling local vets. Nothing. Belle, as they began to call her, was quickly turning into another member of their bank family. She was very well behaved and sat quietly while the employees had work to do. Eventually, Ashley was able to track down the owner of the puppy. They were extremely excited to have her back home safely.

It just goes to show, that community service can be shown in many different ways. Way to go girls!.

It's Not Everyday You See This!

Can you guess who this man is running the teller line?

 

Gene Miles, President of First Farmers Bank and Trust

 

It's none other than our very own President of First Farmers Bank and Trust!

Friday, December 14th, Converse held their Customer Appreciation Day. This day was devoted to serving our wonderful customers for their business. They served refreshments all day and had drawings for great FFBT prizes! But not only did we want to serve our customers on this day, our President, Chief Operating Officer, and Regional Branch Manager surprised our tellers by taking over their teller windows so that they could all enjoy a nice lunch together!

This is so special because it shows just what we at First Farmers are all about, service. We dedicate our time and effort to serve all of our customers as well as our employees in any way that we can. It just goes to show that no employee is any less important or valued than the other!

 

Dave Eikenberry, Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

Julie Cain, Regional Branch Manager

 

 

A Look Back

    As we look back on 2012, it is hard to believe where the time had gone. This year is almost gone and new one is quickly approaching. 2013 is coming, but before it does, we at FFBT would like to take a look back on just a few of the new and exciting things that have happened in 2012. The bank is growing and changing, and it's so exciting to see where we have been and look to where we are going in the future.

    January: Nancy Robison (Peru) celebrated her 15th anniversary in banking, while Don Smith (Kokomo Central) celebrated his 30th anniversary!

    February: Brandt Downing and Jordan Foland (Converse) represent FFBT at the Illinois Pork Conference. Kokomo Central hosts a Pet Contest in order to raise money for the Relay for LIfe.

    March: Our Greentown branch participates in the Urban Outreach Supermarket Sweep!

    April: Vikki Sutton (Kokomo South) retires after many years of service with us. The FFBT "Banking for a Cure" hosts a scavenger hunt to benefit the Howard County Relay for Life.

    May: High School graduates have the opportunity to receive $50 for opening a checking account.

    June: Our Relay for Life team reached their goal of $10,000! FFBT employees raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness on Lee National Denin Day. The Cook and Belle concert took place at the Grant County 4-H fair. Sara Douglas (Converse) celebrates her 35th anniversary in banking.

    July: FFBT acquired four new locations in Paris, Oakland, and Terre Haute! Our Tipton branch serves watermelon during the Tipton County 4-H fair. Kokomo branches offer the annual fishing clinic for kids to participate in.

    August: Janet Haworth (Russiaville) celebrates her 35th anniversary in banking. FFBT donated $15,000 to the MIllion Meals Program. Janet Wilde (Knox) receives the Employee of the Quarter Award. Brittany Brown (Paris Main) receives the Excellence award.

    September: Amboy, Greentown, and Sheridan hold their customer appreciations. The Elwood branchparticipates in a walk-a-thon to help raise funds for the Morrisett Center food pantry.

    October: Many FFBT employees as well as others participate in the 6th annual Miami Heartland's Chili Cook-off! Galveston celebrates their customers on customer appreciation day. The Elwood branch receivesthe Pride award from the Chamber of Commerce for their beautifully decorated building! Kokomo branches all help to create a beautiful tree for the 2012 We Care Trim-a-Tree. FFBT employees enjoy dressing up for Halloween!

    November: Russiaville offers great door prizes to their customers on customer appreciation day. Naomi Gross (Galveston) celebrates 35 years in banking! Linda Dever (Converse) celebrates 25 years in banking. FFBT welcomes new employees to our staff!

    December: Joan McReynolds retires after many years as a float/teller. Converse holds their customer appreciation day.

    Looking back on 2012, it's apparent the FFBT has been very busy in many different ways. Even though we have changed so much in a year's time, we still hold tight to our committment to serving our customers with the same old fashioned community service that we always have. We look forward to 2013 and all that it has in store for us! We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

    For additional information and pictures about many of the events and things listed can be found on our Facebook page or our Flickr page. So check us out online!

FFBT Went to China!

In late summer of 2011, First Farmers Bank & Trust gained a great deal of media attention for the coordination of an international exploratory visit to the People’s Republic of China. For almost two weeks, a diverse group of FFBT directors, management personnel, select clients, and industry and elected officials traveled in an attempt to better understand the inherent links of developing agricultural processes, technology, and trade with the most populist nation in the world. 

The scheduling and logistics of the event were coordinated by FFBT in cooperation with the Chinese government at the direction of key FFBT clients with agricultural investments in varying parts of the country. A comprehensive travel itinerary kept the entire party quite busy and allowed the group to log over 4500 miles in transit and within the country itself.  A variety of facilities specializing in food production, processing, and distribution were visited along with tours of cultural and civic entities in different regions to better understand the diverse standard of living that exists in various parts of the country. 

“You simply can’t begin to comprehend the future of the global agricultural industry without properly examining the dynamics that exist in the Far East.  Given our level of involvement in the ag industry, it is simply a necessity to better understand the impact that China will continue to have on the global marketplace for food" stated Gene Miles, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Farmers Bank & Trust.  “We certainly enjoyed the experience, but given our scheduling and travel, this was clearly not a relaxing trip. However, we have a much better understanding of the stage of development that various provinces are in, and we definitely better recognize the relevance of their efforts and commitment to feeding a staggering population. It was incredibly rewarding, and I think it has really given us a perspective on the central differences between cultures in the realm of agriculture".

First Farmers Financial Corporation Announces Agreement to Acquire First Citizens of Paris, Inc.

Converse, Indiana and Paris, Illinois, December 14, 2011 - First Farmers Financial Corporation, Converse, Indiana and First Citizens of Paris, Inc, Paris, Illinois, announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement under which First Citizens of Paris will merge into a subsidiary of First Farmers.  First Citizens of Paris is the holding company for Citizens National Bank of Paris, which will be merged into First Farmers Bank & Trust, First Farmers’ wholly-owned subsidiary bank.

 

At September 30, 2011, First Farmers had $875 million in assets and operates 20 branches in eleven counties throughout North Central Indiana.  First Citizens had $205 million in assets and operates two branches in Paris, Illinois, one in Oakland, Illinois, and one in Terre Haute, Indiana. 

 

Under the terms of the agreement, First Farmers will pay First Citizens’ shareholders cash equal to 101% of adjusted book value at the effective date of the transaction.  At September 30, 2011, First Citizens had a total book value of $19.7 million which, net of $3.0 million of adjustments to the carrying value of specifically identified assets, equals adjusted net book value of $16.7 million.  Based on 215,679 shares outstanding, First Citizens’ shareholders would have received $78.12 per share if the transaction had been consummated as of September 30th.  The transaction is expected to close late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2012.

 

Gene Miles, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Farmers stated, “This agreement represents a cooperative effort to bring two outstanding community banks together in a very progressive way. We look forward to working with the staff of First Citizens to build on their exceptional record of community involvement while learning how we can best serve the Greater Edgar, Coles and Vigo County markets.  We are especially excited to expand on First Citizens’ agricultural customer base given our organizations historic strengths in the industry. The markets served by First Citizens  are very similar to those that we have served since 1885 and we are very confident that the philosophy of our organization will fit in well in these communities.  Our strong capital position and earnings history has allowed us to continually extend our geographical reach but our commitment to community banking is what has allowed our organization to prosper in markets such as these.” 

 

Bill Minnis, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Citizens added, “First Farmers provides the financial strength and resources that will allow us to better serve our customers and communities, particularly our agricultural customers and rural communities.  Their banking philosophy and commitment to community banking matches our tradition of providing outstanding customer service and active community involvement and support.”

 

In connection with this transaction, Mike Renninger of Renninger & Associates, LLC acted as financial advisor, and Tom Blank of Shumaker Loop & Kendrick, LLP served as counsel to First Farmers Financial Corp.  Scott Martorana of FinPro, Inc. acted as financial advisor, and Ted Eissfeldt and Joe Hemker of Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC served as counsel to First Citizens of Paris, Inc.

 

For further information regarding this release please contact Gene Miles at 765-395-3316 or Bill Minnis at 217-465-7641.

Alex Ringeisen Wins Local Art Competition

10 Year Old Alex Ringeisen, the son of FFBT Amboy Branch employee Melody Ringeisen, was recently chosen as the winner of a Holiday Banner Art Competition in his age group.  He was presented with an award on November 16th from Mayor Jim Walker at the Honeywell Center and the winning banners are now on display on the lightpoles throughout downtown Peru.  The Honeywell Center only chose 16 art pieces in all of Miami County! Congratulations Alex!

Join us This Weekend for the Amboy Fall Festival!

This weekend, the town of Amboy will be hosting their annual Fall Festival.  FFBT has been a sponsor of this for many years.  On Friday, stop by the U.C.E Building to watch Amboy's Got Talent at 7:00pm.  This contest will feature all ages and talents and there are cash prizes for the top 3 acts.

The following activites will be held on Saturday:

8-10am: Biscuits & Gravy

9:15am: Parade Line-up

10:00am: Parade Begins (Hometown Heroes Theme)

11:00-2:00: Car/Truck/Bike Show Registration sponsored by FFBT

11:00-3:00: Music at the Pavilion

11:30am: CID Irish Dancers (inside building)

12:30pm: Jim Snapp Magic (inside building)

2:00-4:00: Car/Truck/Bike Show sponsored by FFBT

Northwest Corner of the Park

1:30pm: PTA Team

2:00pm: Von Lick Kennel K9's

3:00pm: Square Dancing

4:00-7:00: Beef & Noodle Supper

6:00pm: Paul Stout

8:00-11:00: Teen Dance ($1 per person)

Also, enjoy food, kid's games, penny pitch, 50/50 drawing, free pony rides, a cakewalk, flea market, and booths all day!

On Sunday, join Amboy for:

10:00am: Community Church at the Park with Paston Jeff Herron of Amboy United Methodist Church

11:30am: Community Pitch In picnic at the park

12:30pm: Corn Hole Sign Up

1:00pm: Corn Hole Games

             Kid's Games

             Wiffle Ball Game

6:30pm: Community Singsparation with Pastor Dwight Elliot and the Friends Church

 

We hope to see you this weekend!

It's Customer Appreciation Week at Greentown!

This week (Sept 6-9) is Customer Appreciation Week at our Greentown branch.  Join them for refreshments and the chance to win prizes throughout the week.

Tuesday: Coffee and Danishes, with Soda in the afternoon

Wednesday: Coffee, Cookies, and Soda

Thursday: Coffee, Lemon Bars, and Soda

Friday: Nachos with your choice of salsa, cheese, or chili, Brownies, Coffee, and Soda

Each customer that comes in will given 2 tickets for a chance to win FFBT logo items, a gas card from Huck's and a gift card from Cracker Barrel!

 

9/11 Memorial