Jess Hopkins, vice president and Fort Wayne market leader for First Merchants Bank, Muncie, has been honored with the Indiana Bankers Association 2022 Woman on the Rise award, sponsored by Amundsen Davis LLC. She was presented with the award on Wednesday, Nov. 2, during the IBA Banking on Women conference.
This honor recognizes a woman in banking age 40 or younger who makes a positive impact in her industry and community through engagement, drive and teamwork.
“Jess’ story is an inspiration, and she is highly deserving of this honor,” said First Merchants CEO Mark Hardwick. “She pushes herself to grow as a professional, furthering her education while successfully leading the Fort Wayne area consumer bank team to be recognized as First Merchants’ ‘Market of the Year.’ Jess truly embodies our commitment to helping our communities prosper by providing attentive service – both within the walls of our banking centers and out in the community. I am so proud to have her on our team.”
Hopkins joined First Merchants Bank three years ago after 10 years with a regional bank and one year with a smaller community bank. She began her career as a teller, working her way up to lead teller, service manager, regional service consultant and now a vice president and market leader.
Among her many points of community service, Hopkins is financial chair of the Pine Valley Community Association and a member of the YWCA Development and Marketing Committee, and she organizes community days for her team with Habitat for Humanity, Community Harvest Food Bank and the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. She is also running for a school board position this fall.
“Jess Hopkins truly is ‘on the rise,’” said Amber R. Van Til, president and CEO of the Indiana Bankers Association. “One of the qualities that truly sets her apart is her passion for using her own success to elevate others. As one of her nominators said, ‘She revels in the success of those she works with.’ I am ecstatic to get to count Jess among the Indiana banking community and cannot wait to see what she does next.”