Current Events

_{First Federal Savings Bank Named #1 in Northeast Indiana}

 

First Federal Savings Bank was recognized as the number one SBA Lender in Northeast Indiana in the most recent issue of the Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly. First Federal Savings Bank made SBA loans to businesses totaling $8,634,000 which was 57% higher than the 2nd place institution. President and CEO, Michael Zahn, states, “As a community bank, we are committed in partnering with small businesses to provide them the capital to succeed and grow.” Zahn continues, “I’m very proud of our commercial team and their efforts as we continue to provide a funding source to small businesses in northeast Indiana.” Results were taken from October 2010 to September 2011, covered a 12 county area; and include 7A, 504 and ARC loans.  

 

Employee Recognition Awards

Pictured L to R:  Marketing Director Satin Lemon presents Assistant Vice President Lisa Hockemeyer with a 10 year anniversary gift at the First Federal employee Christmas Party on December 7, 2011.

First Federal Savings Bank announces that Nicole Emley has been named the “Teller of the Year, 2011”. Nicole is the head teller at First Federal’s north office and has been employed at First Federal since March of 2005. Nicole has won “Teller of the Year” six out of the last seven years. This recognition comes from accuracy, hard work, customer service, dedication, number of transactions and job knowledge. 

 

The following people were recognized for their daily balancing record: Nicole Emley, Tara Hunnicutt and Abby Haskett. Cietera Vogleman, Laura Lacey, and Lisa Jaynes were recognized for their large number of transactions.

 

Also honored at the First Federal’s Christmas Party, which was held on December 7th, were employees Lori Kruckeberg, Seth Kimmel and Tom Mills for five years of service with the institution. Bill Forgey, Satin Lemon, Jenny Getman, Lisa Hockemeyer, Julie Crain and Kim Fischer were presented awards for 10 years of service. Michael Zahn was recognized for 15 years of service and Jean Sands was honored for 25 years of service. 

 

First Federal awarded Debby Kaufman with the Volunteer of the Year Award which is given to someone that continually pitched in to help with all of the extra activities held at the bank during the year. She was on the United Way Pacesetter committee, worked on the Heritage Days float, participated in the YMCA’s Battle of the Businesses and the Bank’s Tri Kappa Follies stage ad.

_{Tom Mills Receives the Most Active Banker Award from Premier Capital}

Pictured L to R:  David Amick, Executive Director Premier Capital Corporation; Tom Mills, Senior Vice President Commercial Lending; Steve Fountain, Chairman of the Board for Premier Capital Corporation.

 _{Premier Capital Corporation out of Indianapolis recently named Senior Vice President Tom Mills as their Most Active Banker Award recipient. This award is given to the banker that refers the most 504 projects in the fiscal year.  Each year Premier Capital also recognizes bankers that generate 504 projects totaling over one million dollars with an award known as the Super Star Award. In addition to winning the Most Active Banker award, Mills received one of eight Super Star Awards. The fiscal year began October 1, 2010 and ended September 30, 2011. The Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan program provides permanent financing to eligible businesses for the purchase, renovation or expansion of owner occupied commercial real estate.} 

_{Premier Capital has empowered more than 800 Indiana businesses by serving as one of the state’s leading Certified Development Companies. The primary mission of the 504 program is to create jobs. Premier Capital approved 42 SBA 504 projects in Indiana last year. Those loans are estimated to create 240 new jobs over the next two years.}

 _{First Federal Takes 1st Place!}

_{First Federal Savings Bank staff participated in the 9^th annual YMCA and Parks Department Battle of the Businesses. The competition consisted of four weekends with various activities including volleyball, golf, bowling, cornhole, canoe races and many other fun events. First Federal earned first place in the “C” Division (meaning less than 100 employees) and will be awarded with a traveling trophy to keep until next year’s Battle. All funds raised in the Battle benefit the Parkview Huntington YMCA.}

Left: First Federal employees stand outside the Huntington YMCA after completing the 2 mile walk.  Middle:  Bowlers Lori Allred, Amy Tarter, Vicki Scott and Deborah Brankle.  Right:  Cameron Buzzard competes in multiple rounds of cornhole in the YMCA gym.

United Way Pacesetter Campaign

 First Federal Savings Bank is proud to be one of the 2011 United Way Pacesetters.  Many fun events are planned throughout the months of July and August to raise money for the Huntington County United Way.  Top left:  The Commercial Loan Department works hard washing cars on July 28th.  Top Right:  Lindsay Kimmel, Rise Buzzard, Debby Kaufman, Vicki Scott and Marti Evans waitressed at the Pizza Hut Buffet Night on July 25th.  Bottom Left: North office employees Satin Lemon, Karen Smith, Bill Forgey, Brandi Krumanaker and Randy Sizemore show their "Team Spirit" on Fun Friday.  Bottom Right:  Employees Jo Ellen Morris and Andrea Nightenhelser take a quick break to pose for a picture during the Pizza Hut Buffet fundraiser.

FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK TAKES SECOND PLACE IN THE HUNTINGTON HERITAGE DAYS PARADE

 Top Left: Pioneers Kim Fischer and Tom Mills walk with Indians Lindsay and Seth Kimmel with Julie Crain with the background.  Top Right: Laura Lacey and Lupka Baloski.  Bottom Left:  The Zay family.  Bottom Right:  Employees JoEllen Morris and Arianne Robinson pose with JoEllen's grandson before the parade begins.

IBA president & CEO S. Joe DeHaven (left) presented the Five Star Member award to First Federal Savings Bank COO & SVP, Dee Ann Hammel at the IBA Mega Conference on May 24 in Indianapolis.

FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK EARNS FIVE STAR RATING FROM THE INDIANA BANKERS ASSOCIATION

First Federal Savings Bank received a Five Star Award from of the Indiana Bankers Association, at the Association’s Mega Conference, May 23rd–25th. First Federal Savings Bank was one of 39 banks statewide granted the Five Star Award in recognition of its commitment to the Association in the areas of political awareness, issue advocacy, life-long learning, volunteerism and community involvement. The mission of the Indiana Bankers Association is to work collectively to improve the business environment for banking to a far greater extent than any single institution could accomplish on its own. The success of this mission is wholly dependent upon the support and participation of each member institution.

 

First Federal employees who attended sessions at the Mega conference were, Cindy Krumanaker, DeeAnn Hammel, Tom Mills, Michael Zahn, Randy Sizemore, Cindy Zay, Satin Lemon and Lupka Baloski.   Employees could earn continuing education credits while strengthening their areas of expertise at the bank. Sessions were offered for Operations & Technology, Human Resources, Business Lending, Trust, Compliance, Directors, Marketing, Sales & Customer Service, Mortgage Lending and Financial Management.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, STEPHEN ZAHN RECEIVES A DISTINGUISHED HOOSIER AWARD                          

First Federal Savings Bank’s Chairman of the Board, Stephen (Steve) Zahn, was honored with a Distinguished Hoosier Award from the office of Governor Mitch Daniels during Northeast Indiana Bancorp’s 16th Annual Board Meeting on April 26th. The Distinguished Hoosier Award is one of the highest tributes given out by the State of Indiana to its citizens. It is solely granted at the discretion of the Governor to Hoosiers who have uniquely brought admiration and respect to the state through their character and accomplishments.

Steve has served on 22 community boards, is a past Chief of the Flint Springs Tribe and also earned the Huntington Jaycee’s Sam Ridel Award and Huntington University’s Distinguished Service Award. Steve has also devoted his time and efforts to professional and community organizations and has served on boards of the Indiana Bankers Association, American’s Community Bankers and Federal Home Loan of Indianapolis. He is also past chairman of the Indiana League of Savings Associations and has worked on committees for the FDIC and American Bankers Association. “He is truly selfless when it comes to service in his community and his industry.” said Vice President Dan Quayle in a letter recommending Steve for the honor. 

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS BOWL FOR KIDS' SAKE

First Federal Savings Bank employees participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl For Kids' Sake on Sunday, March 27th.  The three participating teams raised for $1300 for Big Brothers Big Sisters.  L to R: Laura Lacey, Pat Scher, Brandi Krumanaker, Kaylee Krumanaker, Ryan Lemon, Satin Lemon, Lisa Jaynes, Lori Allred, Vicki Scott, Andy Amstutz, Kristin Wuensch, Valarie Cannici, Amy Allred, Bryon Bell and Nicole Emley.

 Vice President, Cindy Krumanaker talked about financial responsibility with sixth, seventh and eighth graders at Huntington Catholic School on Thursday, March 24, 2011 as part of the Teach Children to Save Campaign.  Teach Children to Save is a national campaign that raises awareness about the important role that banks and bankers play in helping young people develop lifelong savings habits.  The program reached 4 million young people through its annual awareness day which this year, was April 12, 2011.