On July 19, 2021, First Bankers Trust Company, N.A. (First Bankers), a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Bankers Trustshares, Inc. (the “Company”), named James Whitaker as Senior Vice President (SVP) of Business Development.

As the SVP, Business Development, Whitaker is the key leader and supporter of First Banker’s business development function. In this role, he will develop, execute and sustain business development initiatives that align with the company’s priorities.

"I am thrilled to announce the appointment of James Whitaker to SVP, Business Development," said Allen Shafer, President and CEO of First Bankers Trustshares, Inc. "He has been key member of our leadership team for years and I am excited for him to leverage his agricultural, commercial and real estate lending expertise across our business."

Said Whitaker, "These are exciting times for our business and I am very thankful for my career so far at First Bankers. I look forward to the challenge of driving revenue for the bank and the opportunity to continue working directly with customers.”

Mr. Whitaker joined First Bankers over 10 years ago and has advanced through progressively more responsible positions in the business, where he has played a key role in the success and growth of First Bankers.  He has held positions of Vice President, Commercial and Agriculture and most recently as Chief Credit Officer. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending for Midwest BankCentre in St. Louis. Whitaker’s background and experience at First Bankers make him an exciting fit for this new role. 

 

About First Bankers Trustshares, Inc.

First Bankers Trustshares, Inc. is a bank holding company owning First Bankers Trust Company, N.A. The Company was incorporated on August 25, 1988, and is headquartered in Quincy, Ill. First Bankers Trustshares, Inc. is a publicly held company whose common stock is traded over-the-counter under the symbol FBTT. For more information, visit http://fbti.firstbankers.com.   

 

About First Bankers Trust Company, N.A.:
Headquartered in Quincy, Ill., First Bankers Trust Company, N.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Bankers Trustshares, Inc., is a community-oriented commercial bank offering a variety of financial services to meet the needs of the communities it serves, including personal banking, residential mortgage loans, consumer loans, small business loan and agricultural loans. The bank has branch locations in Quincy, Macomb, Mendon, Carthage, Rushville, and Springfield, Illinois as well as a Loan Production office in O’Fallon, Illinois. It is the largest bank in Adams County. For more information, visit https://www.firstbankers.com.