The Financial Leaders Of Southwestern Illinois
Southern Illinois Market President Hickman credits team at Associated Bank
By DENNIS GRUBAUGH Phil Hickman was looking for a challenge in 2014 when he landed the role of Southern Illinois Market president for Associated Bank. Four and a half years later, the challenge has been met. Bank revenue is on the rise. Employee morale is up. And the customers, surveys show, are happy. “It was…
Read MorePNC Bank intent on supporting communities, regional president Scully says
By KERRY SMITH Michael Scully, PNC Bank regional president for St. Louis and Southern Illinois, says he’s proud to work for a company that has pledged $500 million to support a myriad of early education initiatives in celebration of the bank’s 15th anniversary of Grow Up Great, its signature outreach. “This year marks a $150…
Read MoreCommerce’s Gomric says bank leadership has deep roots in Southern Illinois
By DENNIS GRUBAUGH Commerce Bank has billions of dollars in assets, but it’s never gotten away from its community bank approach, says Matthew Gomric, the Southern Illinois market president. “When you think of Commerce Bank you think of our culture and the commitment to the community. Although we are publicly traded, we very much take…
Read MoreFirst National Bank in Staunton grows with region, exec VP says
By DENNIS GRUBAUGH First National Bank in Staunton got an experienced banker back in 2001 when Brian Ury took on the role of executive vice president and senior loan officer. But banking wasn’t his first career choice. He graduated Illinois State University in Bloomington with a degree in finance. “When I went to college,…
Read MoreTown and Country puts community first, Metro East market president Hopkins says
By DENNIS GRUBAUGH The service and style of a good community bank are what drew David Hopkins to the job at Town and Country Bank, and he believes those characteristics are vital for getting and keeping customers, too. “In a community bank environment, you have a role in the decision making, and we can turn…
Read MoreFirst Bank’s new CEO Seifert loves the role — and interaction with clients
By RITA DUCKWORTH Shelley Seifert has an entire career of banking experience to draw upon in her new role as the chairman and CEO of First Bank. The native St. Louisan took the helm of the bank on May 1. In September 2018, First Bank’s board announced Tim Lathe’s retirement from the position and Seifert’s…
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