Ryan Goodwin, Community Bank President, First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust

By KATE GENO

    As the new community bank president for First Mid-Illinois banking centers in Highland and Maryville, Ryan Goodwin is looking forward to applying what he has learned throughout the course of his career to his interactions with the bank’s staff and customers.
    “Relationships are everything in banking and First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust has built solid relationships with its clientele in the Southwestern Illinois community for years,” says Goodwin. “It has a deep customer base that I am eager to know and expand upon.”
    Goodwin is responsible for business development with an emphasis on commercial lending. He works with the First Mid-Illinois lending team and his goal is to grow the bank’s commercial client base across the Metro East.
    Goodwin grew up in West Virginia on the Ohio River and graduated from Marshall University with a degree in political science. He moved to Highland with his wife who grew up in the area. His first position was at Edward Jones, which sparked his interest in the finance industry. He went on to hold positions with banks in Carlyle, Greenville and Highland where he gained experience in retail, consumer and commercial lending and treasury management.
    Throughout his career, he has learned how important it is to offer value-added service to his clients.
    “In addition to lending and depository services, banks are able to add value to businesses by understanding the individual business and meeting its needs through a variety of financial products such as investments, trust services, and treasury management,” he said. “When we add value to the relationship, we become a full-service partner to our clients.”
    Due to its commitment to corporate clients, First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust was recognized by the SBA as Community Bank of the Year for the Illinois district in 2014 and 2015.
    First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust is active in events and activities to make the community stronger. Goodwin is involved in his own community of Highland. He is on the board for the Highland Home Retirement Community, the Industrial Development Commission, the Optimist Club and the Rotary Club. He is currently race chair for the Highland Lions Club Memorial Day biathlon.
    First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. is the parent company of First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, N.A. and First Mid Insurance Group. A community bank with more than $2 billion in assets, headquartered in Mattoon, Ill., First Mid offers comprehensive banking, trust and wealth management services and insurance services.