As investments continue to be made into the Northwest Indiana community, Centier Bank stands as a proud foundational member of the community growth. Founded as the First Bank of Whiting in 1895, the family-owned bank has since grown in into a community bank that operates 61 branches, employs over 900 associates, and finished 2018 with over $4.4 billion in assets.
“Our community focus and ‘Not for Sale’ promise continues to resonate with more people, businesses, and communities in the state of Indiana,” said Mike Schrage, President and CEO of Centier Bank. “Our commitment to personalized service, excellence, and our family legacy are the foundation for our ‘Not for Sale’ promise that Centier Bank will remain independently owned and operated by the Schrage family for future generations to come.”
Centier's investment in its associates continues to pay off, as the bank was recently named a “Best Places to Work” in the state by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce for the 13th consecutive year. In 2018, Centier was also recognized nationally by American Banker Magazine as a Top-10 Best Bank to Work For, even ranking #1 for the state of Indiana.
A focus on Servant Heart Culture is at the heart of how Centier continues to grow, as the bank prioritizes bringing on staff who share Centier's corporate values of Caring, Loyalty, Integrity, Friendship, and Fun. To Centier, a Servant Leader is someone who has the skill of influencing people to enthusiastically work toward the common good with character that inspires confidence.
“The bank has always and will continue to use its commitment to the community as a differentiator that serves to underscore Centier’s Value and Servant Heart Culture,” Schrage said.
In 2018 alone, Centier associates volunteered over 20,000 hours of community service to over 1,000 organizations throughout the state. They also helped Indiana residents gain special financing and financial literacy with their Reinvestment Act and Centier to You programs, hosted under their new Community Relations and Business Development (CRBD) division. This division is emblematic of what sets Centier apart - it is rare for a bank of its size have an entire department dedicated to supporting financial capabilities in the communities they serve.
“Our focus on relationship banking and community building continues to pay off for our organization, our associates, and the markets in which we operate,” Schrage said. “While 2018 was a year filled with highlights for our organization, I am confident in our ability to build on our successes with a strong and sound approach to helping out communities grow as we grow.”
Within their CRBD Division, Centier has appointed Community Coordinators to serve as the "eyes and ears" for each community they serve. These associates are help Centier participate in the best ways possible in serving each community. You can find more about their Community Coordinators here.
To learn more about Centier Bank, its products, services, and employment opportunities, visit www.centier.com.
