F&M Bank Welcomes Mike Benson as Senior Vice President, Senior Small Business Banking Manager

Rhea-AI Summary

F&M Bank (Nasdaq: FMAO) announced on October 20, 2025 the hiring of Mike Benson as Senior Vice President, Senior Small Business Banking Manager.

This newly created role supports F&M’s strategy to expand small business services across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. Benson brings 40 years of banking experience in credit management, retail banking, and business banking development and will focus on strengthening small business lending programs and establishing processes, procedures, and reporting to support the company’s growth.

ARCHBOLD, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- F&M Bank (“F&M”), an Archbold, Ohio-based bank owned by Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMAO), is pleased to announce the addition of Mike Benson as Senior Vice President, Senior Small Business Banking Manager. This newly created position will facilitate F&M’s strategy to support small businesses across its growing footprint in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.

With 40 years of banking experience, Benson brings a wealth of leadership and expertise in credit management, retail banking, and business banking development. In this new role, he will help strengthen F&M’s small business lending programs and establish the processes, procedures, and reporting structures that will drive the Company’s continued growth and success.

“Mike’s deep understanding of the small business landscape and proven track record of leadership make him a tremendous addition to our team,” said Dave Gerken, Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer at F&M Bank. “His experience and passion for community banking align perfectly with our mission to help local businesses grow and thrive.”

Throughout his distinguished career, Benson has served in several key leadership roles, including Chief Credit Officer at Andover Bank, Akron Market Manager at Consumers National Bank, Retail Market Leader at First Commonwealth Bank, Business Banking Segment Leader at FirstMerit Bank, and Business Banking Team Leader at National City Bank.

Benson lives in Ohio with his wife, Carol. They have three adult children and two grandchildren. Active in his local church, Mike enjoys teaching Sunday School, gardening, and spending time with family. Outside of banking, he is also known as the lead guitarist for the local band, The Fender Benders.

About F&M Bank

F&M Bank is a local independent community bank that has been serving its communities since 1897. F&M Bank provides commercial banking, retail banking and other financial services. Our locations are in Butler, Champaign, Fulton, Defiance, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Shelby, Williams, and Wood counties in Ohio. In Northeast Indiana, we have offices located in Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Jay, Steuben and Wells counties. The Michigan footprint includes Oakland County, and we have Loan Production Offices Muncie, Indiana, and Perrysburg and Bryan, Ohio.

Safe harbor statement

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements by F&M, including management’s expectations and comments, may not be based on historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties inherent in general and local banking conditions, competitive factors specific to markets in which F&M and its subsidiaries operate, future interest rate levels, legislative and regulatory decisions, capital market conditions, or the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impacts on our credit quality and business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions. F&M assumes no responsibility to update this information. For more details, please refer to F&M’s SEC filing, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Such filings can be viewed at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov or through F&M’s website www.fm.bank.

Company Contact:	Investor and Media Contact:
Lars B. Eller President and Chief Executive Officer Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (419) 446-2501 leller@fm.bank	Andrew M. Berger Managing Director SM Berger & Company, Inc. (216) 464-6400 andrew@smberger.com

FAQ

Who is Mike Benson and what role did he accept at F&M Bank (FMAO) on October 20, 2025?

Mike Benson was named Senior Vice President, Senior Small Business Banking Manager at F&M Bank on October 20, 2025.

What experience does Mike Benson bring to F&M Bank (FMAO)?

Benson brings 40 years of banking experience, including roles in credit management, retail banking, and business banking leadership.

How will Mike Benson's position affect F&M Bank's (FMAO) small business strategy?

His role is intended to strengthen small business lending programs and set up processes and reporting to support growth across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.

Is Mike Benson's Senior Small Business Banking Manager role a new position at F&M Bank (FMAO)?

Yes, the company created this new position to facilitate expanded small business support across its footprint.

Which markets will F&M Bank (FMAO) target under the new small business banking role?

The role is focused on supporting small businesses in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.

What prior leadership roles has Mike Benson held before joining F&M Bank (FMAO)?

Benson previously served as Chief Credit Officer at Andover Bank and held leadership roles at Consumers National Bank, First Commonwealth Bank, FirstMerit Bank, and National City Bank.