People First Bancshares Inc. Reports Continued Success in 2017
April 2, 2018
People First Bancshares, Inc. held its annual meeting of shareholders on March 28, 2018 at Peoples Bank & Trust in Pana, IL. During the meeting, Michael E. Beyers, John Gardner, and Michael M. Trexler were reelected to three year terms as directors of the Bank and Holding Company. Other directors of the Bank and Holding company are David R. Fines, James D. Randolph, David T. Dorn, Jr., George Hiler, David Slater, and Brad Davis.
During the report of operations, John Gardner, President and CEO, recognized the Board, Management and Employees for their contributions to the bank’s success. Gardner described two deposit products that were introduced to provide customers both higher yiels and highder FDIC insurance coverage while allowing them to work solely with familiar bank staff for all their transactions. In recognition of exemplary loan processing practices, Peoples Bank & Trust was granted Preferred Lender Status by USDA’s Farm Service Agency. This achievement helps the bank provide guaranteed farm loan application processing and approvals with more flexibility and a faster, more streamlined approval process. An exclusive ranking, only eleven lenders based in Illinois have been granted Preferred Lender Status. Gardner reported 2017 marked a continuation of the bank’s contribution to local organizations with direct donations and support of over $180,000 and its employees and directors volunteering over 5,000 hours of service. Gardner was also pleased to report that shareholders enjoyed another year of record net income of $6.3 million which was primarily attributable to an increase of $15 million in loan volume. In closing, Gardner thanked the bank’s employees for finding ways to become more productive and efficient while maintaining their focus on our customers. Gardner concluded, “The bank is very pleased to continue to provide balanced returns to its key stakeholders: its customers and communities, its stockholders, and its employees.
During the organizational meeting of the Board of Directors of People First Bancshares, Inc which followed the annual meeting, Michael M. Trexler was elected Chairman of the Board and David Slater was elected Vice Chairman of the Board. Other officers include John Gardner, President & CEO, James Adcock, Secretary, Terry Schafer, Asst. Secretary and Craig Deere, Treasurer & CFO. Larry Beaty was elected Director Emeritus.
Peoples Bank & Trust is a locally owned and managed, independent community bank with ten offices located in Charleston, Altamont, Tower Hill, Pana, Taylorville, Morrisonville, Springfield, Waverly, Palmyra and White Hall. Peoples Bank & Trust is a full service bank offering outstanding customer service to consumers, small business, and farmers in Central Illinois. People First Bancshares, Inc., with corporate offices in Pana, Illinois, is the holding company for Peoples Bank & Trust.