New location to advance economic opportunities for area residents, businesses

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Today, First Merchants Bank celebrated the opening of Northland’s newest banking center. Located at 1925 Morse Road, the center is the bank’s eighth location in Columbus. The location was chosen because of the revitalization taking place in the neighborhood. First Merchants Bank leaders, community influencers, Columbus City Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy and First Merchants Corporation board member Clark C. Kellogg were in attendance.

"We are a community bank through and through,” said First Merchants President Mike Stewart. “This location sets us up to be more than a bank but a partner. Our commitment is to make banking accessible to all, especially to people who do not have banking relationships and access to sound financial guidance."

"What we are doing here is unlike anything else in Northland," said Robin Scott, assistant vice president and banking center manager. “We are working hard to create partnerships and opportunities to educate our Northland friends and neighbors on what financial wellness is, what homeownership looks like and how bankers support local businesses. Our attentiveness to individuals is vital to build trust and break down barriers, so the community will continue to prosper."

As a part of today's ceremony, First Merchants donated $10,000 to the Northland Area Business Association. First Merchants is leveraging new and current partnerships with community-based organizations to help identify and engage with those who may benefit from existing and newly developed products and programs. Grand opening week activities will continue to commence from May 16-20 and details can be found at www.firstmerchants.com.

In June 2020, First Merchants announced a $1.4 billion community investment plan with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition and its community-based members and partners. The commitment, which extends through 2025, includes mortgage, small business and community development investments and lending. Philanthropic funding is a primary focus as well and will be funneled to low-and moderate-income communities across First Merchants’ regional markets in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan.

First Merchants is a full-service financial institution offering an array of services including commercial and consumer banking, treasury management, private wealth and administrative services. With assets of approximately $18 billion and 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 (NASDAQ: FRME), with assets of approximately $18 billion and operating in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan, is the parent company of First Merchants Bank. The Muncie, Indiana-based bank is committed to providing exceptional financial services while making meaningful contributions in each community it serves. First Merchants Bank promotes economic mobility through its five community pillars: Employee Empowerment; Community Investments and Charitable Giving; Financial Wellness; Community Home Lending; and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The company has been honored for its excellence in banking by Forbes, Newsweek, and S&P Global Intelligence and attributes this recognition to a mission-driven team passionate about helping you prosper. To see how First Merchants Bank is making a difference, go to (www.firstmerchants.com).

 

First Merchants Northland Banking Center Manager Robin Scott introduces the Northland team.

 

Columbus City Councilmember Emmanuel V Remy addresses the attendees. Photo by: @Shellee Fisher Photography & Design

 

J. Averi Frost, Executive Director of Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce speaks at the event.

 

Northland Area Business Association board members Dave Cooper and Alice Foeller accept First Merchants Bank’s donation to NABA. Left to right: Dave Cooper, Vice President of Northland Area Business Association, Alice Foeller, President of Northland Area Business Association, Robin Scott, First Merchants Banking Center Manager, Jennifer Griffith, First Merchants Regional President, Tiffany Whitner, First Merchants Community Business Lending Officer, Jadira Hoptry, First Merchants Director of Community Lending and Development and Tarika Lewis, First Merchants Community Home Lending Officer. Photo by: @Shellee Fisher Photography & Design

 

Ribbon Cutting L to R: First Merchants Regional President Jennifer Griffith, First Merchants banker Dante Dela Rosa, First Merchants Community Home Lending Officer Tarika Lewis, First Merchants Community Business Lending Officer Tiffany Whitner, First Merchants President Mike Stewart, First Merchants Banking Center Manager Robin Scott, (front) First Merchants banker Iman Jackson, First Merchants banker Jessie Hu, First Merchants banker Lulu Zghier, First Merchants President, Consumer Banking Carrie Valek, (back) First Merchants Director of Community Lending and Development Jadira Hoptry, Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director J. Averi Frost, Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce, Board Vice President Anthony McIntosh, Columbus City Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy, Northland Area Business Association Alice Foeller, First Merchants Sales Manager, Community Home Lending Sheryl Taylor, First Merchants Director Corporate Social Responsibility Scott McKee. Photo by: @Shellee Fisher Photography & Design

 

First Merchants Corporation Board Member Clark Kellogg, (fourth from right) with First Merchants Bank’s Northland team led by Banking Center Manager Robin Scott, Community Home Lending Officer Tarika Lewis, (third from left) and Community Business Lending Officer Tiffany Whiter, (third from right)