First Clover Leaf Bank becomes First Mid with finalization in ’17

By ROBERTA CODEMO
    First Clover Leaf Bank customers will see a new name and look when they open their bank statements early this year. The merger and conversion of First Clover Leaf Bank to First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust will be finalized in mid-March.
    “We’re excited to get to know them,” said Lisa Fowler, chief credit officer at First Clover Leaf Bank. She will take over the title of First Mid regional president once the conversion is completed in March.
    There is also a sense of melancholy, as well as excitement. First Clover Leaf Bank has deep roots in the Edwardsville community dating back to the 1800s, when it opened as a small savings and loan institution. It will be hard when the new signage goes up.
    “We’re attached to our current name,” she said, laughing. “I’m sure First Mid will grow on us as well,” adding that change is a part of life.
    She was pleased to note that First Mid shares the same philosophies as First Clover Leaf Bank. “They’re proud of
    their heritage just like we are,” she said. Both have long histories in their communities and have the same commitment to community banking and community service.
    There are going to be changes, but First Clover Leaf Bank has been working to minimize the impact on customers. “We hope the changes that they see are positive,” she said, adding customers will now have access to new banking products that First Clover Leaf Bank hasn’t been able to offer before.
    Training on the new systems will begin early this year so that employees are ready for conversion weekend. During this process, customer needs have been kept at the forefront to ensure individuals are placed in product lines that are equal to or better than what they currently have. When customers log into their accounts on Monday, March 20, the look and feel will be different but everything should run smoothly.
    First Clover Leaf Bank has recently expanded into St. Clair County and Clayton, Mo. With the recently announced merger and upcoming conversion to First Mid, it looks forward to offering new growth opportunities for its employees with new locations.
    “We will continue to do what we do,” she said. “Our bank name will change, but customers will see the same faces.”
    First Clover Leaf Bank customers will see a new name and look when they open their bank statements early this year. The merger and conversion of First Clover Leaf Bank to First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust will be finalized in mid-March.
    “We’re excited to get to know them,” said Lisa Fowler, chief credit officer at First Clover Leaf Bank. She will take over the title of First Mid regional president once the conversion is completed in March.
    There is also a sense of melancholy, as well as excitement. First Clover Leaf Bank has deep roots in the Edwardsville community dating back to the 1800s, when it opened as a small savings and loan institution. It will be hard when the new signage goes up.
    “We’re attached to our current name,” she said, laughing. “I’m sure First Mid will grow on us as well,” adding that change is a part of life.
    She was pleased to note that First Mid shares the same philosophies as First Clover Leaf Bank. “They’re proud of
    their heritage just like we are,” she said. Both have long histories in their communities and have the same commitment to community banking and community service.
    There are going to be changes, but First Clover Leaf Bank has been working to minimize the impact on customers. “We hope the changes that they see are positive,” she said, adding customers will now have access to new banking products that First Clover Leaf Bank hasn’t been able to offer before.
    Training on the new systems will begin early this year so that employees are ready for conversion weekend. During this process, customer needs have been kept at the forefront to ensure individuals are placed in product lines that are equal to or better than what they currently have. When customers log into their accounts on Monday, March 20, the look and feel will be different but everything should run smoothly.
    First Clover Leaf Bank has recently expanded into St. Clair County and Clayton, Mo. With the recently announced merger and upcoming conversion to First Mid, it looks forward to offering new growth opportunities for its employees with new locations.
    “We will continue to do what we do,” she said. “Our bank name will change, but customers will see the same faces.”