F&M Bank announces leadership transition as board chairman steps down

ARCHBOLD, Ohio - F&M Bank, owned by Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:FMAO), announced today that Andrew Briggs will step down as Chairman of the Board while continuing to serve as a director until his retirement in 2026.

Kevin J. Sauder, who has been serving as Vice Chairman and has been a board member since 2004, has been appointed as the new Chairman, effective immediately. Sauder is the Retired President & CEO of Sauder Woodworking Co.

Briggs, who has served on the board for seven years and as Chairman since 2024, will work with Sauder over the coming year to ensure board continuity and strategic momentum, according to the company’s press release.

"Andrew’s guidance has been instrumental in helping F&M expand our footprint and deepen our community relationships," said Lars B. Eller, President and CEO of F&M Bank.

F&M Bank operates across multiple counties in Ohio, including Butler, Champaign, Fulton, Defiance, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Shelby, Williams, and Wood. The bank also maintains a presence in Northeast Indiana with offices in Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Jay, Steuben, and Wells counties, as well as in Oakland County, Michigan.

The bank also operates loan production offices in Troy, Michigan; Muncie, Indiana; and Perrysburg and Bryan, Ohio.

F&M Bank, which has been serving its communities since 1897, provides commercial banking, retail banking, and other financial services.

In other recent news, Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22125 per share, payable on July 20, 2025, to shareholders of record as of July 7, 2025. F&M Bank, the company’s subsidiary, reported assets totaling $3.39 billion as of March 31, 2025. In personnel changes, Eric D. Faust has been promoted to Executive Vice President at F&M Bank, having previously served as Chief Risk Officer. Faust has been recognized for his efforts in enhancing risk management and regulatory compliance strategies. The bank also announced the appointment of Ahmed Alomari to its Board of Directors, highlighting his technical expertise and strategic insight. Conversely, Jo Ellen Hornish has stepped down from the board after contributing significantly since 2013, particularly in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. These developments reflect the bank’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its leadership and technological capabilities.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.