Hoosier Banker 11 those areas on each side. We’re always there for each other. “Branden manages our funds management and investments, and has responsibility for all the board reporting. I still oversee on the lending side, because I grew up in lending, and I also oversee a lot of the compliance area. “This arrangement allows me to devote more time to public relations work for the bank. I enjoy getting out and meeting with customers, stockholders and various community leaders. It also allows me to participate with the IBA and bring that awareness back to our staff, and to stay active in volunteer work.” Your bank serves more than 30 counties from its two rural Indiana locations. What accounts for that success? “First, we have a strong marketing program. At the same time, our best marketing program is word of mouth, so we make sure we are visible in all of the counties we serve. We go to 10 different 4-H auctions to support the children of the families that bank with us. “Second, we have a good staff, especially in agriculture. Everyone in our ag department has grown up on farms, participated in 4-H and are still farming or involved with their family farms. This is significant, because our staff can relate to our farmers, in good times and bad. PHOTO CAPTION: George Ferriell is president and CEO of Bath State Bank and president of Bath State Bancorp. He is scheduled to retire from the bank year-end, but retain his title with the holding company.
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