MUNCIE, Ind. – First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ - FRME) announces Jadira Hoptry as its new director of community lending and development. Hoptry will manage all community lenders throughout First Merchants Bank, while focusing on consumer lending and support of low- to moderate-income and other underserved communities.

 

With more than 20 years of banking experience, Hoptry most recently served as Vice President, Community and Economic Development Manager for Fifth Third Bank’s Greater Indiana Region. She came to the state after serving as Fifth Third’s Vice President, Community and Economic Development Manager for Southwest Florida for six years. Hoptry worked in various roles after joining Fifth Third Bank in 1998. 

 

“Jadira has a proven strategic ability to develop and implement efforts to grow and strengthen community relationships as we strive to improve the quality of life for individuals and families in our communities,” said First Merchants President and CEO Mike Rechin.

 

A graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Hoptry also has an Economic Development Finance Professional Certification from the National Development Council. She has been very involved in the community since moving to the state, affiliating with nonprofit and philanthropic organizations including Local Initiatives Support Corp Indianapolis, Flagship Enterprise dba Bankable, Regional Strategy Council, Indiana Latino Institute, Prosperity Indiana and Opportunity Finance Network. 

 

“Jadira’s background and experience, combined with her commitment and enthusiasm to help individuals become self-sufficient and financially stable, will serve communities well throughout the Midwest,” said First Merchants Corporate Social Responsibility Director Scott McKee.    

 

First Merchants is a full service financial institution offering an array of services including Commercial & Consumer Banking, Treasury Management, Private Wealth, and administrative services. With assets of approximately $12.3 billion and 130 banking offices in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois, the company is investing heavily in growing its presence and community impact in the Midwest.

 

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About First Merchants Corporation

First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. The Corporation has one full-service bank charter, First Merchants Bank. The Bank also operates as First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors (as a division of First Merchants Bank). First Merchants Corporation’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol FRME. Quotations are carried in daily newspapers and can be found on the company’s website (www.firstmerchants.com). FIRST MERCHANTS and the Shield Logo are federally registered trademarks of First Merchants Corporation.