Centier Bank reported its first quarter financial results, ending March 31, 2012. Total Assets ended the first quarter at $2.148 billion, a growth of $24 million or 1.1% for the quarter. Earnings for the first quarter were $5.7 million, which was a 1.09% Return on Average Assets and an improvement over the $2.8 million earned in the first quarter of the prior year. Total capital increased to $209 million and the Bank remains well capitalized by the regulatory standards.
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 sixth consecutive year and was named “Best Bank for Business” by the Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly magazine for the tenth 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 #1 Best Bank and Best Place to Work, and #2 Best Customer Service.
“We are honored to be so highly regarded in the communities we serve,” stated Michael E. Schrage, President and CEO of Centier Bank. “Our clients always come first and it is very nice of them to publicly recognize the work we put into serving their financial needs. We will continue to provide them with services and conveniences that fit their lifestyles.”
During the first quarter of 2012, Centier introduced mobile banking to its line of services and later introduced a partnership with MoneyPass®. By joining the MoneyPass ATM network, Centier is able to offer its clients free nationwide access to more than 22,000 ATMs with no surcharges.
This month, Centier celebrates its 117th anniversary as an independently owned and operated community bank and is looking forward to continued growth in 2012. The bank has begun the renovation of its Crown Point Downtown branch, located at 117 E. Joliet Street. The branch, which will undergo a complete demolition and rebuild, is scheduled for completion in 2013. In the coming months, Centier Bank also plans to expand its residential lending market to the greater Lafayette area.
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 45 branch locations throughout Northern Indiana, including business banking centers in Mishawaka and Fort Wayne, and a loan production office serving Carmel/Indianapolis.
