On January 22, 2024, F&M Bank announced the retirements of Rex Rice, EVP & Chief Lending Officer and Benét Rupp, EVP & Chief Administrative Officer. Rice will remain in his role until March 1, 2024. Rupp will remain in her role until March 22, 2024.

F&M also announced several promotions as part of the Company?s established succession plan. As Chief Lending Officer, Mr. David Gerken will oversee the Bank?s commercial, agriculture and consumer lending areas as well as special assets and treasury management solutions. Mr. Gerken has over 30 years of commercial banking experience and most recently served as F&M?s SVP Senior Commercial Banking Manager.

He has a BA in Business Administration from Defiance College. Alexis Smith Promoted to SVP | Chief People Officer: As Chief People Officer, Ms. Smith has assumed additional responsibilities associated with the Company?s strategic planning strategies and will continue to lead human resources for F&M inclusive of talent, learning, benefits, organization development, and payroll. Ms. Smith joined F&M in 2020 as VP Talent and Organization Development.

She has over 25 years of HR, training, and organization development experience across multiple industries. Ms. Smith has both a BA and MA in Classics from The University of Toledo. Amy Cover Promoted to SVP | Chief Marketing Officer: As Chief Marketing Officer, Ms. Cover has assumed additional responsibilities that include product development and customer experience strategies and will continue to lead marketing and brand strategy, communications, and public relations across F&M?s footprint.

Ms. Cover joined the Bank in 2009 and has held a variety of leadership positions within the bank?s marketing function. Ms. Cover has a BA in Communications & Marketing and an MBA from Defiance College and attended the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin ? Madison.