Board Appointments Prioritize Fishback Financial Corporation’s Independence

The Board of Directors at Fishback Financial Corporation (FFC), the bank holding company for First Bank & Trust, have elected John Fishback as Board Chair and Tom Fishback as Board Vice Chair following Van Fishback’s decision to step back as FFC Board Chair. Van Fishback will remain on the FFC Board and continue in his role as Chair of the First Bank & Trust Board of Directors, which operates separately from—but in partnership with—that of the holding company.

John Fishback, EVP Chief Product/Customer Experience Officer, and Tom Fishback, EVP Market President, are fourth-generation members of the pioneering bank family that began First Bank & Trust."

“I am so pleased to empower John and Tom in this expansion of their roles,” said Van Fishback. “Their years of leadership at the bank, coupled with their passion for supporting our family business values, uniquely qualify them to provide strategic direction for our organization.”

FFC, which owns First Bank & Trust, is primarily owned by Fishback family members and by First Bank & Trust employees through their employee stock ownership plan. The main purpose of the holding company is to provide general strategic guidance and direction to First Bank & Trust, and its overall objective is to make decisions that enable the bank to remain independently owned and continue its work strengthening our communities.

These FFC Board changes, which position the company for continued growth, were preceded by two other recent additions. Kevin Tetzlaff, President/CEO of First Bank & Trust joined the FFC Board and was appointed CEO of the holding company. Additionally, Ann Fishback Rivlin, joined the FFC Board.

Recognizing the smooth and seamless transition the holding company is experiencing, Van Fishback stated, “Not all companies with family majority ownership enjoy this natural evolution of leadership, but thanks to a talented team and thoughtful communication, our organization does. For that, I am grateful.”

“First Bank & Trust is able to do the work we do in our communities because of the guiding principles the Fishbacks have championed,” said Kevin Tetzlaff, President/CEO of First Bank & Trust and FFC. “I’m fortunate to see those values in action every single day through the work we do at the holding company, as well as through the bank’s board members, leadership, and employees.”

“Throughout their careers, Van and my father Bob have demonstrated how our family’s business works best when we positively impact the communities we serve. I’m very fortunate to have learned by their example,” said John Fishback. “Having Tom as my partner in both upholding our guiding principles and working with the board to chart our future course makes this appointment all the more rewarding.”

“John and I are very aware of what a responsibility this is,” said Tom Fishback. “Yet, we are as dedicated as our parents—and the Fishbacks before them—to ensuring the longevity of the bank’s independence through extraordinary service and support for our customers and communities.”