FBB:
First Bank of Berne announces Kent Liechty as new President
April 13, 2010
Berne, IN-
First Bank of Berne is pleased to announce that effective May 1,
2010, Kent Liechty, currently Executive VP and Head of Lending at First
Bank of Berne, will be stepping up to the role of President/CEO of First
Bank of Berne, this following the announcement last month of current
President Charles Isch's plans to retire.
Liechty will assume his new role with over 18 years of banking experience, having joined FBB in 1997 as Vice President, commercial lender. Kent came to First Bank of Berne from NBD Bank in Fort Wayne, where he worked as a commercial loan officer for five years.
Kent was born and raised in the Berne community, graduated from South Adams High School, and then Purdue University with Highest Distinction in Agricultural Economics. He earned his MBA from Indiana University and is a 2000 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking.
Liechty is an active member of First Mennonite Church, involved with various church committees and a long-time Sunday school teacher. He is the Swiss Village Board President, Youth for Christ Board Treasurer, Berne Community Development Corp. Board Member, member of the South Adams Agriculture Advisory Committee, and a Junior Achievement Volunteer.
Kent and his wife, Teri, live in Berne with son, Evan and daughter, Riley. He enjoys spending leisure time with family activities, reading, running and being involved in agriculture.
Charles Isch, retiring President and CEO had this to say, "The change of management of the bank will be very seamless, as I have been preparing for this transition for several years. Kent Liechty will become the tenth president of our bank and will be supported by a very strong group of leaders in each of our departments." "Kent's promotion to president of FBB is a testament to his professional skills and leadership, since he joined our bank 13 years ago. I have no doubt he'll do a great job and he is the right person to continue to lead this wonderful institution. We look forward to many more years of success under Kent's leadership," added Isch. Charles will remain on the bank's board of directors.
The bank is in a very strong position for the future. First Bank of Berne has had two record high profit years in '08 and '09, in spite of the bad recession that our country is in. Assets also ended the year at an all time high.
First Bank of Berne, the 2009 #1 bank in the state of Indiana, has assets of over $415 million and operates a total of eight offices in Berne, Decatur, Bluffton, Portland, IN and Van Wert, OH.