Commitment to community makes First Knox National Bank Chamber’s Medium Business of the Year for 2011
When it comes to banking, few things are more important than building relationships within a community.
For the family at First Knox National Bank, building those long-lasting relationships and becoming part of the community they live in is one of the main reasons why First Knox was recently named the 2011 Holmes County Chamber of Commerce Medium Business of the Year at the annual Chamber banquet held Thursday, Nov. 17 at Carlisle Village Inn at Walnut Creek.
“Whether it is the fair, West Holmes or East Holmes schools, the library, Historic Downtown Millersburg or Classic In the Country, First Knox provides its financial support, but they do a lot more than just write a check,” said presenter Chris Roush of Rea & Associates.
“First Knox employees provide leadership through Rotary, the Lions Club, Kno-Ho-Co, the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Council.”
During a time of big bank bailouts and cutthroat dealings on the national level, the family at First Knox has exhibited the ability to remain loyal to the people with whom they live and work every day.
It is because of that attitude that First Knox National Bank was named the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce Medium Business of the Year recipient for 2011.
First Knox, which is headquartered in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, opened its Millersburg branch in 1986, and has shown incredible growth since purchasing Ohio Legacy Bank in 2007.
Roush said that because First Knox is inundated with local people who know the local community, they were able to easily survive the nationwide banking breakdown of 2008. Roush noted, “Locals understand the local market best, and when the banking crisis of 2008 hit, they didn’t have to change their procedures or strengthen their screening process. They know their customers and have built personal relationships with them. Employees at First Knox have proven that they are truly someone you can trust.”
Bob Boss, the First Knox National Bank Millersburg office regional executive vice president, accepted the award on behalf of the bank. As a former Chamber board member, Boss understands the process of going through the task of choosing these annual honors, and said that he knows that there are plenty of great businesses out there from which to choose, so it was with great humility that he accepted the award.
“It’s really an honor,” said Boss. “Any organization is only as successful as the people who work there. We have a great staff, a caring staff.
“These are dedicated folks who work hard at their job, who try to be as involved with their community as they can. I am very proud of them and they work extremely hard. I wouldn’t want any other team with me.”
Boss also paid special tribute to Vickie Sant, the president of First Knox National Bank, whom he said talked him into taking the role as vice president of the bank’s Millersburg branch.
“We have a great leadership team at First Knox, and it all begins with her.”
With an online banking presence, investment advice, trust and estate planning and a complete line of banking options available, First Knox National Bank has grown into one of the leading businesses in Holmes County.
“We just want to be a part of our community, and the lives of the people with whom we deal with on a daily basis,” said Boss. “Their success is our success, and we are grateful that we have been deemed worthy of this kind of an honor. It will just make us work even harder to make sure we are here to serve for the people of Holmes County.”
For the family at First Knox National Bank, building those long-lasting relationships and becoming part of the community they live in is one of the main reasons why First Knox was recently named the 2011 Holmes County Chamber of Commerce Medium Business of the Year at the annual Chamber banquet held Thursday, Nov. 17 at Carlisle Village Inn at Walnut Creek.
“Whether it is the fair, West Holmes or East Holmes schools, the library, Historic Downtown Millersburg or Classic In the Country, First Knox provides its financial support, but they do a lot more than just write a check,” said presenter Chris Roush of Rea & Associates.
“First Knox employees provide leadership through Rotary, the Lions Club, Kno-Ho-Co, the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Council.”
During a time of big bank bailouts and cutthroat dealings on the national level, the family at First Knox has exhibited the ability to remain loyal to the people with whom they live and work every day.
It is because of that attitude that First Knox National Bank was named the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce Medium Business of the Year recipient for 2011.
First Knox, which is headquartered in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, opened its Millersburg branch in 1986, and has shown incredible growth since purchasing Ohio Legacy Bank in 2007.
Roush said that because First Knox is inundated with local people who know the local community, they were able to easily survive the nationwide banking breakdown of 2008. Roush noted, “Locals understand the local market best, and when the banking crisis of 2008 hit, they didn’t have to change their procedures or strengthen their screening process. They know their customers and have built personal relationships with them. Employees at First Knox have proven that they are truly someone you can trust.”
Bob Boss, the First Knox National Bank Millersburg office regional executive vice president, accepted the award on behalf of the bank. As a former Chamber board member, Boss understands the process of going through the task of choosing these annual honors, and said that he knows that there are plenty of great businesses out there from which to choose, so it was with great humility that he accepted the award.
“It’s really an honor,” said Boss. “Any organization is only as successful as the people who work there. We have a great staff, a caring staff.
“These are dedicated folks who work hard at their job, who try to be as involved with their community as they can. I am very proud of them and they work extremely hard. I wouldn’t want any other team with me.”
Boss also paid special tribute to Vickie Sant, the president of First Knox National Bank, whom he said talked him into taking the role as vice president of the bank’s Millersburg branch.
“We have a great leadership team at First Knox, and it all begins with her.”
With an online banking presence, investment advice, trust and estate planning and a complete line of banking options available, First Knox National Bank has grown into one of the leading businesses in Holmes County.
“We just want to be a part of our community, and the lives of the people with whom we deal with on a daily basis,” said Boss. “Their success is our success, and we are grateful that we have been deemed worthy of this kind of an honor. It will just make us work even harder to make sure we are here to serve for the people of Holmes County.”
Published: November 17, 2011
