First Bank & Trust Company CEO Recognized by Emory & Henry College

March 26, 2024         By: Payment Week

ABINGDON, Va., March 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — First Bank & Trust Company, a diversified financial services firm today announced that William H. Hayter, President and CEO of First Bank & Trust Company, was recognized by Emory & Henry College located in Emory, Virginia.

Emory & Henry College celebrated Founders Day on Thursday, March 22, 2024. The event is held annually to celebrate the founding of the College and the individuals and groups whose efforts were instrumental in establishing Southwest Virginia’s first institution of higher education. Virginia House Delegate and Emory & Henry graduate, Israel O’Quinn, was the keynote speaker. Five individuals were honored as recipients of the College’s annual alumni awards, and three individuals, including William H. Hayter, were honored with Founders Day Service Citations.

Hayter was recognized for his role in assisting Emory & Henry Collegerestructure and improve its long term prospects, and for his professional service and leadership in the banking industry. Hayter was commended for his 39 years at First Bank & Trust Company, and for the Bank’s recent five star ratings as well as the Bank’s recent awards, including being among the top banks in the nation for strength and stability, agricultural lending and USDA Lender of the Year for participation in the federal government’s rural business loan program. Richard K. Gaumer, Vice President for Business and Finance at Emory & Henry College, stated how the college’s relationship with First Bank & Trust Company has positioned Emory & Henry in a leadership role for other colleges, “Because of Bill Hayter’sknowledge, experience and creative financing ideas, everybody in higher education wants to follow Emory & Henry’s lead.”

William “Bill” Hayter commented on being recognized, “It is an honor and a privilege to work with Emory & Henry College and to see the progress that has been made because of the strong relationship we’ve developed. First Bank & Trust Company is at its core a client-based community bank whose reputation is built on personal relationships.”

Read the entire article from Emory & Henry College.


About First Bank & Trust Company

First Bank & Trust Company, one of the top community banks in the United States, is a diversified financial services firm with office locations in southwest Virginia, northeast Tennessee, and New River and Shenandoah Valleys. Financial objectives are addressed by offering free checking products for personal and business accounts, and assessing lending solutions managed by mortgage, agricultural and commercial lending divisions. Comprehensive financial solutions are available through trust and brokerage service representatives.