9 Hoosier Banker January 2016 Continued on page 10. relations. When a call to action goes out for industry comment on a regulatory issue or a vote, whether in Indianapolis or Washington DC, there should be at least 250 responses from Indiana bankers and directors alone. “That goal includes growing the number of bankers who attend the IBA Annual Washington Trip. When I started going on the trip about six years ago, we’d have 12 or 13 bankers attend. Now, under the leadership of past chairmen Dave Heeter and Larry Myers, the trip has grown to 50+ bankers. I’d like to grow that number to 75 to 80 bankers, so that when we show up in Washington, people will know that Indiana community bankers mean business. “My second goal is to grow Indiana BANKPAC by 50 percent. For example, I would ask anyone who usually writes a check for $200 to please consider a $300 donation this year. The PAC is an important means for us to express banking views. “Politicians need to understand that community banking is the foundation of our cities and towns, and that federal government regulations cost valuable time and money, while generating no revenue. Indiana BANKPAC is extremely important in delivering these messages.” Why do you choose to be so active with the IBA? “The Association is the perfect vehicle to deal with the regulatory environment. With IBA staff ‒ Amber Van Til and Dax Denton at the state level, and Joe DeHaven having access to both the Independent Community Bankers of America and American Bankers Association ‒ we can get things done. “Our grassroots support also helps. It’s one thing if I individually call on a U.S. representative, but that representative will take extra notice after receiving hundreds of letters from the banking community. I’ve had legislators call me to say, ‘I’m getting a lot of correspondence. Please explain this issue to me.’” The First Federal vision statement indicates a goal of reaching a specific range of assets within three years. How does this precise vision guide your bank? “We are deliberate in our vision, because we recognize that we have a niche, which was created by the growth of larger competitors. We’re large enough to be healthy, but small enough to keep the personal touch. “We’re at $400 million in assets. At that size, if a commercial customer with a $200,000 line of credit calls and asks me to come visit to review a project, I can say, ‘We’ll be right over.’ I’m a hands-on person, and I like being able to see and work directly with our small business customers. “The Evansville Courier & Press described us as the ‘biggest of the little guys.’ First Federal Savings Bank is the fourth largest bank in town, but the next size up is quite a bit larger. So we’re the biggest of the little. “A few months ago, we ran a radio ad campaign that said, ‘If you need to talk to the president, just pick up the phone and call.’ After that ad ran, about a dozen people called my office. When I answered the phone, they’d be surprised and say, ‘You really do answer the phone.’” First Federal Savings Bank was founded in 1904. What accounts for your longevity? “We have always been extremely conservative. We were founded by several area businessmen, including George W. Koch, who was the oldest son of George Koch, founder of George Koch Sons Inc. Mr. Koch was our first president, serving from our opening in October 1904 through all of 1961. “Originally the bank was named the West Side Building Loan and Savings Association. In 1934, when federal banking charters were available, we literally became the first federally chartered savings and loan association in Evansville. That’s how we got our name of ‘First Federal Savings and Loan Association. In 1998 the name was changed to First Federal Savings Bank.’ Susie and Mike Head attend the Chairman’s Banquet at the 2015 IBA Annual Convention in French Lick. The corporate office of First Federal Savings Bank is located at 5001 Davis Lant Dr., Evansville.
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