By Staff
THREE RIVERS - The First National Bank of Three Rivers (FNB) will open an office in Niles according to Richard E. Dyer, President and CEO of FNB. The loan production office will be located on the corner of Sycamore Street and North 5th Street, in the heart of the downtown business district.
The Niles office will initially concentrate on commercial, small business and mortgage activities, although all types of banking activities are offered and available through FNB. According to Mr. Dyer, "The loan production office is anticipated to be our first step into the Niles market. "We fully expect to grown within the community and expand our presence."
Donald D. White will serve as Managing Market Executive and Commercial Lender for the Niles area. Mr. White was born and raised in Niles and has spend over 20 years of his professional career in and around the Niles area, including consumer, mortgage and commercial lending roles for former community banks – Niles National Bank, Michigan National Bank-Michiana and FMB-Community Bank (now known as Fifth Third Bank, Standard Federal Bank and Huntington Bank, respectively). As Vice President of Michigan National Bank-Michiana, Mr. White managed eleven offices throughout the southwestern Lower Michigan region, specializing in mortgage and consumer lending activities. Upon his departure from Michigan National Bank-Michiana, he joined FMB-Community Bank, located in the Dowagiac and Niles market areas. Mr. White served as Vice President of Lending and spearheaded expansion into the Niles market through the opening of an additional full service branch of South, 11th St.
Mr. White has also served as President and CEO of FMB-Maynard Allen Bank in Portland, and Regional President of D and N Bank of Howell, (now known as Huntington Bank and Republic Bank, respectively). In those capacities, he was very involved in community activities and organizations and led his organizations to many financial and non-financial successes. Most recently, Mr. White has served as Vice President at FNB in the Three Rivers market.
Joining Mr. White at the Niles office will be Jo Ann Burkett. Ms. Burkett will serve as residential mortgage originator for FNB. Ms. Burkett's real estate career began in 1995 as a sales associate for Re/Max Four Flags Realty.
In 1998, she shifted from realtor to the mortgage origination aspect of real estate transactions. She has served as a mortgage loan originator in the Niles area for the past seven years, most recently with Countrywide Home Loans.
According to Mr. Dyer, a native of St. Joseph, "FNB is a consummate community banking organization. We provide the full range of financial products and services, including commercial, consumer, mortgage, trust and brokerage services while being very active active within our communities.
Our board members, officers and employees give their time and talents to many organizations and activities while the organization itself provides significant support to local non-profit organizations, community events and community development efforts."
As far as why FNB choose to locate in Niles, Mr. Dyer said, "Niles is a growing market, positioned nicely for continued success and, in opinion, void of a true community bank. It is the type of market that we understand and enjoy. With Don White and Jo Ann Burkett, we have two experienced professionals who have history and knowledge within the Niles market and surrounding area. It is very important to us when considering new markets to have local individuals involved; Don and Jo Ann provide that local connection for us."
FNB is a $142 million community bank headquartered in Three Rivers.
The bank was formed in 1864, making 2004 the 140th year of existence. FNB is the third oldest national bank in the State of Michigan. FNB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FNB Financial Corporation, a one bank holding company with approximately 400 shareholders located primarily within the market it serves.
In addition to the Niles office, which is expected to be opened in early November, FNB has three offices in Three Rivers, plus offices in Centreville, Constantine, and Mendon.