12 MARCH / APRIL 2019 a business lending perspective. I believe community banks provide a more personal touch, because we’re headquartered in or near the same town that our customers live and work in. “We are deeply invested in our communities. As communities thrive, so will our banks, so we have many of the same motivations.” Your bank is featured in an IBA ‘Reading Champions’ video. How did the partnership with the community schools of Frankfort develop? “In 2014, our local school received a failing grade in accountability from the Indiana Department of Education. Karen Miller,* my predecessor, and Paul Cox, who was our chief credit officer before he retired, went to the superintendent and asked, ‘What can we do to help?’ “It was determined that what was needed for a successful school was to grow better readers. So the team came up with a new program called Reading Champions, through which teachers identify students at risk of not passing the IREAD-3 assessment. It’s important that third-graders pass that test, because the state requires it in order for them to go on to fourth grade. “Currently, 18 of The Farmers Bank staff go to our local elementary school every Tuesday morning to read with their thirdgrade buddies – their ‘Reading Champions.’ We have another 16 employees who are substitutes, so roughly 25 to 30 percent of our staff participate in this program. “It’s really making a difference. Last year, 100 percent of the Reading Champions students passed the IREAD-3 assessment, and one student, who had been a struggling reader, got a perfect score. “Recently the school corporation has started another Reading Champions program at a different school with help from retirees and volunteers from Kiwanis and Rotary. We’re excited that our involvement has spawned growth for the program. Continued on page 14. Symbolic items on display in Karen Gregerson’s office represent the various constituencies of The Farmers Bank, Frankfort. Marion, so there was not an abundance of job openings. But I did find a tremendous opportunity when I was hired as audit manager at NIFSCO, Northern Indiana Financial Services Company. The company was a subsidiary of what is now STAR Bank, so it was providential that I later went into banking.” How do you define the role of community banks? “Community banks play a critical role in a local economy, by lending and helping businesses grow. Community banks can frequently be more responsive and agile to meeting those needs of its consumers and business customers, because we’re a part of the community, we know the community, and we understand their needs. “A community bank takes pride in being a part of the community in every aspect possible – whether it be our time, talent or treasure – as well as our investment from A $2 bill lodged in a staff photo – a souvenir from the 2018 IBA Banking on Women Conference – serves as inspiration to be unique and memorable. * Karen I. Miller served as president and CEO of The Farmers Bank from 2006 to 2015.
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