For Immediate Release
New Bank Opens for Business
State Banking Commissioner and Joliet Mayor Attend Ceremony
Joliet, Illinois - July 9, 2004 - Today the Commissioner of Banks for the State of Illinois, Lorenzo Padron, signed the official bank charter for First Community Bank of Joliet. Commissioner Padron was accompanied by Joliet Mayor Art Schultz and other local dignitaries. The Bank's officers and directors also participated in the ceremony.
Commissoner Padron commented "This is an exciting day for Joliet - it is wonderful for this community to have a locally owned bank. The State of Illinois is pleased to grant official approval to open this community bank. We could see from the strong community response to the stock offering that this was truly a grass roots bank - a bank belonging to the community. We wish the bank and the community the greatest of successes."
Mayor Art Schultz, is one of several local elected officials who invested in the Bank and who are now bank clients. He explained that "A town needs good banks to grow and be successful. We are excited that this new bank has been founded to serve the residents and businesses in our vibrant City. Our City has a strong history of local leaders stepping up to the plate to take care of the community. This new bank is a great example."
"We all live in this town and built our businesses in this great community," explained John Manner, a Director of the Bank and President of Manner Insurance and Manner-Scroggins Investment Services. "This city is a great place. People around here expect you to take care of them - and, if you do, they stick with you and before you know it, you have built a strong business with great clients. Our bank will work on the same formula. Our bankers provide excellent, professional service - they are part owners in the bank and are committed to our clients for the long haul. The key is to have great people who really take care of their customer. This isn't a faceless, nameless megabank - our bankers have been in this town forever - you won't be dealing with strangers or a different person every time you call in or stop by."
The Bank recently completed its initial public stock offering - demand for the stock exceeded the $18 million in stock authorized. The Bank is now open for business in a temporary office at 2769 Black Road (the North East corner of Black Road and Infantry Drive). The Bank's permanent building is under construction across the street. The bank also received approval to begin operations from the FDIC. The FDIC insures the banks deposits.
Members of the Bank's Board of Directors are George Barr (Chairman of the Board), Mary Cowhey, Terry D'Arcy, John Dollinger, Roger D'Orazio, Rex Easton, Patrick Graham, Michael Hansen, Patti Lambrecht, John Manner, Steve Morrissette, Paul Pawlak, Bob Sohol, Mark Stofan, and Frank Turk. The Bank's officers are: Steve Morrissette, President & CEO, Brian Wielbik, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Terry Hackett, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer, John Spanich, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Steve Jamnik, Senior Vice President, and Barb Astrom, Vice President.
For more information, please contact Steve Morrissette, 815-725-0123.