MUNCIE, Ind. – Today, First Merchants Bank announced Jess Hopkins, vice president and Fort Wayne market leader, received the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA) 2022 Woman on the Rise award. She was presented with the honor on Wednesday, Nov. 2, during the IBA Banking on Women conference. This award recognizes a woman in banking age 40 or younger who makes a positive impact in her industry and community through engagement, drive and teamwork.

“Jess’ story is an inspiration, and she is highly deserving of this honor,” said First Merchants CEO Mark Hardwick. “She pushes herself to grow as a professional, furthering her education while successfully leading the Fort Wayne area Consumer Bank team to be recognized as First Merchants’ ‘Market of the Year’. Jess truly embodies our commitment to helping our communities prosper by providing attentive service – both within the walls of our banking centers and out in the community. I am so proud to have her on our team.”

“It is an honor to be the recipient of this award,” commented Hopkins. “I am fortunate to work with the amazing people of First Merchants Bank and have the love and support from my family. I enjoy every moment I get to serve my community, and always want to leave it better than when I arrived.”

Hopkins joined First Merchants Bank three years ago after ten years with a regional bank and one year with a smaller community bank. She began her career as a teller, working her way up to lead teller, service manager, regional service consultant and now a vice president and market leader.

Among her many points of community service, Hopkins is financial chair of the Pine Valley Community Association and a member of the YWCA Development and Marketing Committee, and she organizes community days for her team with Habitat for Humanity, Community Harvest Food Bank and the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. She is also running for a school board position this fall.

“Jess Hopkins truly is ‘on the rise,’” said Amber R. Van Til, president and CEO of the Indiana Bankers Association. “One of the qualities that truly sets her apart is her passion for using her own success to elevate others. As one of her nominators said, ‘She revels in the success of those she works with.’ I am ecstatic to get to count Jess among the Indiana banking community and cannot wait to see what she does next.

###

About First Merchants Corporation
First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME), with assets of more than $18 billion and operating in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan, is the parent company of First Merchants Bank. The Muncie, Indiana-based bank is committed to providing exceptional financial services while making meaningful contributions in each community it serves. First Merchants Bank promotes economic mobility through its five community pillars: Employee Empowerment; Community Investments and Charitable Giving; Financial Wellness; Community Home Lending; and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The company has been honored for its excellence in banking by Forbes, Newsweek and S&P Global Intelligence and attributes this recognition to a mission-driven team passionate about helping you prosper. To see how First Merchants Bank is making a difference, go to (www.firstmerchants.com).

About Indiana Bankers Association
The Indiana Bankers Association supports Indiana banking through issues advocacy, professional education, and products and services that enhance financial institutions’ ability to help build better communities