2013 November Issue
Harlan ‘Skip’ Ferry, President, Commerce Bank, Metro East Region
By KATE GENO Commerce Bank positions itself as a “super-community” bank that offers all the products and services of a large, national bank delivered with the personal commitment and dedication of a community bank. It offers an array of financial products delivered with quality customer service. The promise, “we ask, listen, and solve,” is…
Read MoreTim Fritzsche, Vice President and Commercial Lender, Reliance Bank
By KATE GENO Reliance Bank was founded in 1999 and quickly grew to become one of the largest locally-owned banks in the market with more than $1 billion in assets. The economic downturn led to asset quality issues at the bank. In 2012, Tom Brouster arrived and immediately led Reliance on a successful…
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News from Around the Nation
Health website to heal with time, supporters say Reprinted by permission of The Associated Press By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVARAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — It should be working well by the end of November. That’s the Obama administration’s rough timetable for completing a long list of fixes to HealthCare.gov, the new, trouble-plagued website for uninsured…
Read MoreLand of Lincoln Pricing Scenarios
Land of Lincoln Pricing Scenarios A little about Land of Lincoln Health EDITOR’S NOTE: Here is a breakdown of Land of Lincoln Health, a new health insurance company born from the Affordable Care Act — and the only nonprofit consumer-operated and oriented plan (COOP) in Illinois. Land of Lincoln’s goal is to enroll 40,000…
Read MoreInland waterway system is vital to our economy
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform & Development Act that authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop, maintain and support our nation’s waterways and ports while balancing and providing environmental restoration and flood protection. This legislation overwhelming passed 417-3 and with overwhelming support from…
Read MoreCongress takes aim at secondary mortgage market reform
In what’s become a familiar drama to most Americans, the two houses of Congress are lining up on opposite sides of an issue with a broad, deep gorge between them. This time the fight will be over reform of the secondary mortgage market. The two large GSEs (Government Sponsored Enterprises) Fannie Mae and Freddie…
Read MoreFundraising to protect region’s interests enters public phase, panel says
EDWARDSVILLE — Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois has entered the public phase of its “One Voice. United for Growth” investment campaign aimed at generating $3.2 million to support what it says are the council’s most critical programs as it works to ramp up the region’s economic development engine. The council has already secured commitments…
Read More$7.5 million hotel, restaurant under construction
PONTOON BEACH — Ground has been broken along Interstate 270 on a new $7.5 million hotel and restaurant. The developer, Larry Manns Properties of East Alton, said the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott is being constructed at 270 Commerce Park, southwest of the intersection of Illinois Route 111 and Interstate 270. The…
Read MorePNC Bank tabs regional president/First Mid-Illinois’ CEO to retire
First Mid-Illinois’ CEO to retire MATTOON, Ill. – First Mid-Illinois Bancshares Inc. has announced that its chairman, president and chief executive officer, William S. Rowland, will retire from his position effective Dec. 31. Joseph R. Dively will assume those roles. He currently serves as senior executive vice president of First Mid and president…
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