First Farmers is Family and Community Focused
Celebrating over 135 years of serving individuals, families and communities
First Farmers Bank & Trust celebrated 135 years in 2020. Since 1885, the bank has been committed to serving rural and small to mid-size towns in the Midwest, while supporting local communities and sustaining growth and value for shareholders. During that 135-year timespan, there have been many changes, from the way people access their finances, to what products and services are needed. At First Farmers, staying current with change has always been important, but one focus has been constant: relationships with customers, community partners, and employees.
The pandemic has only strengthened First Farmers Bank & Trust’s commitment to making a positive impact in their communities. The Growing Good initiative developed out of that commitment, and included the “Pigs to People to Pork” campaign, a partnership between First Farmers Bank & Trust and local farmers and processors to provide high quality pork raised in Indiana to help fight hunger. At the local level, individual branches and employees strove to encourage frontline workers with the “In This Together” initiative, and the bank also worked with local community foundations to make donations where they would meet the greatest and most urgent needs.
First Farmers has 35 branches throughout Indiana and Illinois, with the main branch residing in Converse, Indiana.
The First Farmers Bank & Trust Culver Branch was established in 2006 and is located at 101 N. Main Street on the corner of Jefferson Street in downtown Culver.
Culver Branch Manager Mike Pazin emphasized the value that the institution places on relationships. “Family is the word that comes to mind when I think of First Farmers; as an employee and how we try to treat people. Being part of the community as an engaged an active partner is so important to us in Culver and to the bank overall.”
Pazin serves on the board of the Culver Youth Club [formerly the Culver Boys & Girls Club] and is involved with coaching at the JV Baseball program at Culver Academies. At the Culver branch, staff members have volunteered their time to Blessings in a Backpack, an organization that provides food supplement to children of families who are experiencing food insecurity. The bank is also the sponsor for the youth portion of the Lake Max Triathlon. The bank is always looking for ways to give back and take part in Culver.
“The bank is so community driven. We are in a lot of smaller communities like Culver. We are determined to make an impact.”
First Farmers Bank & Trust also partners with Community Foundations across the region. “So much of
First Farmers success is about relationship building.” Those relationships are with local individuals, families, and organizations; the organization endeavors to be a community leader and a strong team player. Community involvement and family atmosphere is a high priority to the branch and the financial institution.
“First Farmers is a family atmosphere. Employment is a family atmosphere. We try to treat each customer like they are family. That means that we want the best for each other, for our communities, and for our customers—and we’re going to help make that happen.”
First Famers Bank and Trust offers commercial and agricultural lending services, mortgage, auto, and personal loans, and personal banking services. Harvest Rewards is the most popular personal checking account. The financial institution also offers many deposit options to best fit customer needs.
Contact First Farmers Bank & Trust by calling 574-842-3321 or go online to www.ffbt.com.