Patrick Molex

Patrick Molex, Banking Center Manager of First Merchants’ Munster, Ind. banking center (NMLS: 1903240), knows what it’s like to be given a second chance.

“In early February 2022, I began to feel sick and checked myself into the ER,” he shared. “I’d always been healthy, before, but suddenly all my lab results were coming back with serious results.”

Despite his worsening condition, Patrick’s doctors couldn’t identify a specific illness as the culprit.

“I ended up being hospitalized for about a month before I began to recover,” he explained. “They’re still not sure what the cause was.”

For Patrick, it was a chance to turn over a new leaf.

“I really wanted to throw myself into the things that mattered the most,” he said. “For me, that’s my faith. I really viewed it as an opportunity to put that first and foremost.”

A veteran himself, Patrick had long supported local veterans’ initiatives, but following his miraculous recovery, he also began dedicating more time to his church, as well as pushing himself to make positive change within First Merchants Bank. He said his philosophy for giving back is, and always has been, simple:

“I’m an advocate of treating your neighbor as you would treat yourself,” he explained. “Whether that’s out in your community or through your work. When that client comes into my office and they’re not having a good day, I practice compassion as I don’t know what they’ve been through. Or when my team member comes up with a great idea, I always make sure that I give them credit and let them shine. When you have the mindset of treating your neighbor as you would treat yourself, people see your sincerity, your willingness, and your commitment of being their advocate as you help them prosper.”

Patrick’s renewed passion earned him a Gold Shield Award – an annual recognition at First Merchants Bank which highlights team members who exemplify our dedication to attentive service and going above and beyond to help our communities prosper.

“I think this recognition really underlined what it is I love about working in banking,” he explained. “I get to address and provide solutions for the financial needs of my community.”

During his acceptance speech at the 2023 Gold Shield Awards, Patrick shared his story of recovery, bringing many in attendance to tears.

“I fully believe that that experience, and my subsequent recentering of my faith, directly led to that accomplishment,” he shared. “It made me look at life differently, and I know I came out better for it.”

First Merchants Bank’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility compels us to invest in our communities by finding ways to reduce inequalities, improve the quality of our neighborhoods, and promote positive economic mobility though our five community pillars: Employee Empowerment; Community Investments and Charitable Giving; Financial Wellness; Community Home Lending; and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This series features First Merchants teammates who embody the spirit and impact of the company’s Vision: “to enhance the financial wellness of the diverse communities we serve.”