8 Hoosier Banker June 2015 Dear Colleagues: When people ask about my position as president and chief executive officer of First Federal Savings Bank, Huntington, I explain that my most important role is to assemble and maintain a great team … then stay out of the way. Our staff at First Federal is outstanding and the reason we are successful. Being a community bank leader also means doing a little bit of everything, whether it’s lending, community relations, human resources, or working with the board of directors for strategic planning and direction. There are not too many areas of the bank that I don’t get involved with week-to-week, or even day-to-day. I joined the bank in late 1996 as part of a long-term succession plan. The first phase was for me to work in all areas of the bank to understand what we do, why we do it, and how each department forms an integral part of the organization. Additionally I furthered my education by earning an MBA from the University of Notre Dame, after which I was promoted to bank president in 2005 and to CEO in 2011. When I was named president, I became the third-generation Zahn to lead First Federal. My father, Stephen E. Zahn ‒ now chairman of the board ‒ served as president before me, and my grandfather, William E. Zahn, also was president. I am humbled to be following in their footsteps. Though I was raised in a banking family, it was not an expectation that I continue the legacy. In fact when I first completed undergraduate studies at Indiana University, I went to work for Cincinnati Financial Corp. (CFC). I remained for four years, serving as senior underwriter. My experience at CFC proved a helpful backdrop to my banking career. Underwriting in the insurance industry is very similar to loan underwriting, since both involve assessing risk. My time at CFC also allowed me to mature as a person and experience a large corporate structure. Working in Cincinnati for several years made my transition to banking a lot smoother. As any community banker knows, the banking profession is deeply satisfying. I especially enjoy opportunities to help our customers find financial solutions to meet their needs. Each customer and each situation is a little different, which makes this job exciting every day. It’s also satisfying to help make a difference in the community at large. First Federal has a strong culture of service, which I learned from my father. He was always very active in the community, and our staff likewise are engaged. They understand that the stronger the community, the stronger our bank. I always tell our people that in terms of the time, talent or treasure that we give to the community, in the end we’re the ones being rewarded, because it feels good. It’s rewarding to make a difference in the lives of neighbors, friends and family, and in the communities that we live in. My community outreach includes service on the boards of directors of several organizations, including the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce, The Bowen Center, Huntington County Economic Development and the Huntington University Foundation. I also am a member of the Lime City Economic Development, a past director of the Parkview Huntington YMCA, and I serve the United Way of Huntington County as a capital campaign chair. As of Jan. 1, my outreach now extends to the Indiana Bankers Association, since being elected to the IBA board of directors. It was an honor to be asked to join, and an easy decision to accept. The IBA does such a top-notch job for community banks in all areas ‒ including education, advocacy and partnering with third-party vendors ‒ that I view it as almost something of an obligation to help out in any way I can. My participation on the board is the least I can do. Serving on the board also allows me to interact more fully with members of the IBA staff, and I find their depth of talent to be impressive. Joe DeHaven should be proud of his team and the work that they do. I feel we have the best state trade association in the country. My home life is equally satisfying, because I am blessed with a great family. My wife Susan and I have been married for 20 years, and she puts up with me every day with grace and humor. We are raising three amazing boys, Adam, Noah and Ethan (ages 14, 12 and 8), who make us proud. The boys keep us busy with all of their activities, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I cherish the time I get to spend with them. When Susan and I are not running the boys to practices or games, we enjoy playing golf to unwind. She’s actually better than me and usually beats me, but we have a lot of fun together. (I have three older sisters, who trained me well.) We also enjoy spending weekends in South Bend for Notre Dame football games. I feel grateful for this happy life and to be working in the banking industry. I am especially fortunate to have had two outstanding role models, my father and grandfather, who exemplified the best of community banking. Although banking has changed over the years, the lessons they taught me about trust, integrity, loyalty, hard work and compassion will always be traits I try to emulate. FEATURE Board Review Michael S. Zahn, IBA Northeast Region Director First Federal Savings Bank, Huntington
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==