You deserve to work with a bank that gives back to the communities it serves.
First Bank's motto is "Make Life Better" and we are always looking for ways to walk that out in our communities.
Take a look at just a few of the ways our team puts those words into action.
First Bank worked with the Sterling College Capital Campaign, processing the transaction of a $7.9 million (60% of his stock) bequest from the bank's late chairman, Carl Dudrey. The remainder was bequeathed to the Rice County Community Foundation to be used to strengthen and preserve the quality of life in local communities. Mr. Dudrey's estate gifts came directly from his bank stock which was sold to local investors. Every bit of gain from his 25 years of bank ownership was given back to the community.
Annually First Bank participates in the Federal Home Loan Bank's #500forGood Grant.
Encouraging Rice County residents to submit ideas of what they would do with $500 to better their community, First Bank team members then sponsor those ideas through the grant application process.
Over the past 5 years First Bank and their partners have donated over $10,000.00 to make life better locally through the #500forGood Grant.
After Head Start closed its doors in Rice County, First Bank was sought out to organize and run the Rice County Giving Tree. Each year, First Bank employees work with local schools and day cares to ensure that no child goes without gifts during the Christmas season. An ornament tag is built for each child with a list of their needs and wants and the tags are distributed throughout the county at local partnership banks. Community members can stop by a Giving Tree and select a child in need to shop for and drop their gifts back off at the participant bank. Prior to the holidays, the gifts are wrapped and delivered to the appropriate school or daycare where they can be discreetly taken home by a parent or legal guardian and left under the tree for Christmas. Approximately 70 children are served each year through the Giving Tree program.
Partnering with other local organizations is key to elevating our message and abilities to give back locally. We've partnered with the Rice County Community Foundation on their Rice County Job Fair to be a donation site for gently used professional clothing. These clothes were used to build a Career Closet, a resource to Rice County folks who need interview apparel.
Each year First Bank challenges high school seniors in USD 405, 401, and 376 to submit business plans complete with logos, marketing plan, and budgets to compete for scholarships.
Each school district will judge their students, and the winner will receive a $500.00 scholarship to the college or trade school of their choice.
Those three students then go head-to-head competing to the be the overall Rice County winner, receiving an additional $500.00 scholarship.
Throughout each year, our First Bank family supports local organizations. Through sponsorships, hosting events, or activities, you will see our team involved in a myriad of ways.
Our communities are always looking for volunteers. If you have an interest, check out one of the many links below.
Sterling Rotary
Lyons Rotary
Main Street Sterling
Sterling Chamber of Commerce
Lyons Chamber of Commerce
Rice County Arts Council
Studio 96
Rice County Extension Council
KS4Vets
American Legion
Kids Cove
Sterling Recreation Commission
Lyons Recreation Commission
Sterling College Community Fair
Love Sterling
Rice County Community Foundation
USD 376
USD 405
USD 401
