FIRST BANK OF BERNE COMMITTED TO REMAINING LOCALLY OWNED, OPERATED AND INDEPENDENT For over 125 years, First Bank of Berne management, employees and shareholdersOur headquarters have always been in Berne, Indiana. Th e investment into the nevw have taken significant steps to ensure the stability and security of their bank for years operations facility, allows us the opportunity to continue to grow,expand physically when to come. Each decision and advancement made over the years has helped the bank to needed, and keep our headquarters in Berne for good. The new building was another remain locally focused, financially independent and committed to a strong future for all advancement and investment into our future as a bank and ensuring we maintain our Kent Liechty, First Bank of Berne President has always been transparent about the independence," says Liechty banks organizational structure and financial future. Known for being one of the top performing banks in the state, Liechty shares that they owe much of their success to TECHNOLOGY AND SECURITY: A TOP CONCERN FOR FIRST BANK OF BERNE MANAGEMENT Not only does the new operations center allow for company growth, but it has also given First Bank of Berne a unique advantage against competitors We feel it's important to adjust to the ever-changing needs of our customers and the industry. In 2016, we made a significant change when we teamed up with a major technology partner, taking our core provider system, technology and security t the highest level. Th is meant a major conversion of systems and upgrades in order EMPLOYEES REPRESENT LARGEST SHAREHOLDER OF THE BANK The culture and structure here is different from other banks. When you call or stop into your local First Bank of Berne location, you're not just working with 'employees, you're working directly with owners; owners who live, work and play in your local mmunity. At First Bank of Berne, our emplo collectively through their Employee Stock Ownership to stay competitive. While other banks have resisted making this change due to cost, time and effort, all our employees and shareholders, as a bank, decided this was (ESOP), represent the largest shareholder of the something we wanted to fully invest in. When we could have easily turned away and said 'we dont want to make this investment - it's too much time, work and mo we will just partner up with another organization who has already gone through this change' our team did the opposite. We said, 'We want to remain independent. We want to put forth this effort. We want to invest into this technology, security and the future of our organization nd independence as a bank. bank. Being owners of the company, means they treat their jobs, the customers and the business differently" As collective owners of the bank, First Bank of Bernes team members play an active role in the decision making process and one deci is that First Bank of Berne has a strong future and will not be selling out or closing its doors, like other banks many customers holding high-standards Aside from their employees and shareholders bein fully invested into the success of the company, Liechty says theres much more that has made First Bank of Berne successful over the last 125+ years. for online banking, First Bank of Berne believes it's important that their bank operating system and security provides the best digital banking experience possit exceeds the competition. Liechty continues, "As a bank, our goal is not to cut costs in order to make ourselves more attractive to buyers, but rather continuously invest into our future as a bank Over the years, we have always made sure to be adaptable, and ever-changing to the needs of our customers and organization. We've added new locations, grown current locations, and invested in the best technology and systems to ensure we can serve our customers no matter where they are located, or what their needs are. This has been vital to remain independent moving into the future. SIGNIFICANT FACILITY INVESTMENTS: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS KEEP DECISIONS LOCAL AND FOCUS ON REMAINING INDEPENDENT With a young and local Board of Directors, First Bank of Bernes decision makers are constantly focused on how the ban remain community-minded, keeping all decisions made locally. k can continue to plan for the future and Kent Liechty, President & CEO In 2014, First Bank of Berne made a significant investment into the Berne community when they built their new operations center. Liechty says, "In order to support our future as a bank, we egies and tactics we have in place, as an organization, are focused on the needed the right tools, security, and facilities in place to move forward and continue to long-term success of the bank. Our board of directors, shareholders, employees - offer our customers the best experience possible. As a bank, it's important we remain independent and steady moving into the future, and we knew that in order to keep our financial independence and success, we needed to take action and invest into next-level in it for the long haul. They're invested into the organization and focused on ensuring we remain independent. 2018 was a strong growth and record year for everyone- are S. We are excited for the years ahead and confident that we will be here serving our customers decades, even centuries from now. The future at First Bank of Berne has never FIRSTBANKOFBERNE.COM I 800.589.7848 First Bankof Berne BERNE I BLUFFTONI DECATUR I KOKOMO I PERUI PORTLAND I VAN WERT