Centier Bank reported its first quarter financial results, ending March 31, 2013. Total Assets ended the first quarter at $2.23 billion, a growth of $23 million or 1% for the quarter. Earnings for the first quarter were $7.1 million, which was a 1.32% Return on Average Assets and an improvement over the $5.7 million earned in the first quarter of the prior year. Total capital increased to $216 million and the Bank remains well capitalized by the regulatory standards. Deposits increased $68 million, nearly 4% from the 2012 year end level of $1.89 billion.

Mortgage banking revenues were $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2013, a 105% increase over revenues for the same period last year. “The mortgage market is steadily showing signs of recovery,” stated Michael E. Schrage, President and CEO of Centier Bank. “Our mortgage lending division is working with local realtors and developers to get families into new homes and to help refinance existing homes.”

In addition to its strong financial performance, Centier was named among the top “Best Places to Work in Indiana” by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce for the seventh consecutive year and was named “Best Bank for Business” by the Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly magazine for the eleventh straight year. Centier was also voted “Neighbor’s Choice Best Bank” in Lake and Porter Counties by the Post-Tribune and The Times’ Best of the Region, sweeping the #1 spot for Best Bank, Best Place to Work, Best Customer Service, and Best Financial Advisor.

“We are honored to be so highly regarded in the communities we serve,” stated Schrage. “We appreciate the faith and loyalty of our clients as Centier’s brand and reputation for excellence increases.”

In the first quarter of 2013, Centier Bank opened its first retail banking establishment in Fort Wayne inside of Kroger Marketplace on DuPont Road. The full-service retail branch complements Centier’s Business Banking Center that has been servicing business clients since opening in 2008.

This month, as Centier celebrates its 118th anniversary as an independently owned and operated community bank, the bank is looking forward to continued growth in 2013. Centier Bank will soon open a branch inside of the new Merrillville Ultra branch, which is moving across the street from its current location on Broadway. Next, the bank will open an in-store branch inside of the new Cedar Lake Strack & Van Til’s, and this summer will open a branch inside of Hammond Van Til’s. Renovations of the Crown Point Downtown branch, located at 117 E. Joliet Street, will be completed this June, and shortly thereafter, the branch will open its new Valparaiso South branch.

“It looks to be an exciting year ahead,” stated Schrage. “I appreciate the loyalty and support of our clients and the communities we continue to serve.”

Centier is now the largest privately-owned independent bank in Indiana and remains committed to being owned and operated by the Schrage family in the future. Centier has 46 branch locations throughout Northern Indiana, including business banking centers in Mishawaka and Fort Wayne, and a loan production office serving Carmel/Indianapolis.

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Centier Bank’s Hammond Community Advisory Panel, in effort to help create a healthier Hammond,will host its third Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday, April 13, 2013.  This is the third health fair in a series that focuses on distinct lifestyle lessons:  Physical Exercise, Healthy Eating, and Community Gardening.  The event is scheduled to take place at Morton High School from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The Health and Wellness Fair is free and open to the public.  The event will showcase local businesses, civic groups, and agencies that promote healthy eating, physical exercise, and other activities that promote the quality of health for children and adults. Previous health fairs featured vendors from Walgreens, Staggers Chiropractic, and students from Purdue University’s Nutrition program.

Licensed representatives from Franciscan Alliance Group will be onsite to provide blood pressure testing and glucose screenings, free ofcharge.  All attendees may enter to win raffle prizes donated by sponsors.

The focus of the fair is to engage people of all ages in healthy practices for their day-to-day well being.  The previous fairs, held at Harding and Morton Elementary schools, drew hundreds of parents and students from the greater Hammond community.

Centier Bank’s Hammond Community Advisory Panel has joined in partnership with Grow NWI to sponsor a community garden at Morton High School.  The garden, which will harvest vegetables during the year, will be housed in the center courtyard of the school.  The high school environmental class, as well as the PTA will maintain the garden throughout the year.  Students from Purdue University, the Hammond Community Advisory Panel, and Grow NWI, will plant vegetables during Saturday’s event.

“We expect that this garden will produce hundreds of pounds of fresh, health vegetables for families,” stated Art Russell, Hammond Community Advisory Panel member and Director of Community Lending at Centier Bank.  “Our plan is to return to the school once all of the vegetables are harvested and host a seminar on how to prepare fresh foods for a healthy meal.  We want to teach families how to care for their food and how to care for themselves,” Russell continued.  “We are engaging families in learning healthier eating habits that will pass from generation to generation.”

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Centier Bank’s Hammond Community Advisory Panel, in effort to help create a healthier Hammond, will host its second Health and Wellness Fairs this week. This is the second health fair in a series that focuses on distinct lifestyle lessons: Physical Exercise, Healthy Eating, and Community Gardening. The event is scheduled to take place at Morton Elementary School on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Health and Wellness Fairs are free and open to the public. Each event will showcase local businesses, civic groups, and agencies that promote healthy eating, physical exercise, and other activities that promote the quality of health for children and adults.

The first fair, which took place at Harding Elementary, was a great success. Hundreds of students and their parents joined in lessons on heart health, exercise, and gardening.

A licensed nutritionist will be present at each of the events. In addition, students from Purdue Calumet will be conducting presentations on nutrition and diabetes at each fair. Licensed representatives from Franciscan Alliance Group will be onsite to provide blood pressure testing and glucose screenings, free of charge. All attendees may enter to win raffle prizes donated by sponsors.

“Our mission is to provide an event that is accessible to all ages, because we are teaching lifestyle lessons for the entire family,” stated Art Russell, Hammond Community Advisory Panel member and Director of Community Lending at Centier Bank. “We are offering student activities at these fairs so that parents will bring their children along to see healthy role models in action.”

The next health and wellness fair will take place:

Morton High School

Saturday, April 13, 2013

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Community Gardening

About Centier Bank’s Hammond Community Advisory Panel

Established in 2012, the Hammond Community Advisory Panel is comprised of business and community leaders who have dedicated their lives to improving the economy, quality of life, education, and overall progress of the Hammond community. Centier Bank developed the panel in part to aid in Hammond’s consolidated plan and analysis of impediments to Fair Housing Choice. The seven-member panel is comprised of community leaders who have made a distinct impression on the citizens of Hammond.

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