Centier Bank, Merrillville, donated more than $54,000 to the United Way of Northwest Indiana. The funds were raised through the hard work and generosity of the bank’s employees across the state, matched by a corporate gift, and will be used to support the organization’s flagship programs serving the 12 counties in the bank’s footprint. The bank gave the organization $65,000 in 2024, making for a total two-year donation of more than $100,000.
Chris White, CEO of the United Way of Northwest Indiana (center) and his colleague Shannon Buck (second from right) accept a $54,000 donation from Centier Bank, Merrillville, on Jan. 13, at the bank’s corporate office just months before its 130th anniversary. Representing the bank were (from left) Dakita L. Jones, VP, director of community relations; Mike Schrage, CEO; Tim Warner, VP-Business Banking; Ashley Stephan, community relations team lead; and Anthony Contrucci, president of the bank’s holding company, First Bancshares Inc.
First Bank of Berne donated $500 to the Adams Central Football Booster Club in conjunction with AC’s state champion football coach Michael Mosser providing a motivational speech to the bank’s employees as part of its Presidents’ Day training and strategy session. Mosser offered insights on leadership, teamwork and success, emphasizing accountability, discipline and shared goals.
Adams Central Football Coach Michael Mosser (left) accepts a check on Monday, Feb. 17, for the team’s booster club from Steve Bailey, an employee of First Bank of Berne, treasurer of the booster club and grandfather of AC quarterback Jamison Roach.
First Financial Bank, Cincinnati, and its employees donated $191,083 and 1,413 volunteer hours to organizations in the Indianapolis area in 2024, including $55,000 to Exodus Refugee Immigration and $11,000 each to Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership and Community Action of Greater Indianapolis. Across its entire four-state footprint, the bank and its employees donated more than $4.6 million and 14,871 volunteer hours. The bank has a commitment of $2.4 billion in lending and investments to low- and moderate-income clients and census tracts from 2024-28. That includes a goal of $18 million in philanthropy, with an emphasis on supporting organizations that create and preserve affordable housing and workforce development, plus those that provide housing counseling and promote financial and economic inclusion.
North Salem State Bank donated more than 17,000 items to 17 local food pantries serving Hendricks, Putnam and Boone counties. The bank also donated more than $25,000 in cash, matching customer, employee and community donations.
Northwest Bank, Warren, Pennsylvania, donated $1,000 to the Legacy of Blessings Adoption Foundation in March. The organization assists families in securing the necessary funding to overcome the initial financial burdens of adoption, ensuring that more children in Indiana can find loving and supportive homes.
Peter Kauffman and Kate Kostetler of Northwest Bank; Robert Brannock of Northwest Bank and Legacy of Blessings’ board of directors; Phil Kuhn, Legacy of Blessings co-founder; and Devin Schultis, Northwest Bank.
