Farmers & Merchants Bank Honors Exemplary Leaders At ‘People You Can Bank On’ Awards

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Nov. 13, 2013 - PRLog -- Eleven individuals from Long Beach, South Bay and Orange County, whose actions exemplify the founding principles of Farmers & Merchants Bank – honesty, integrity and community service – were honored yesterday at the third annual “People You Can Bank On” awards program in Long Beach.

The exclusive luncheon recognized men and women from various walks of life that have made a significant impact on their community and their industry. They represented the arenas of business, medicine, nonprofit, education and philanthropy.

“When it comes time to select our People You can Bank On award recipients each year, the decisions are challenging, as we have so many customers dedicated to serving their communities. At Farmers & Merchants, we truly are privileged to have so many outstanding civic leaders and philanthropists among our customers,” said Daniel K. Walker, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of F&M Bank.

“We salute the individuals honored today for they are an inspiration to all of us as they honor their personal commitments to bettering our community.”

F&M Bank President Henry Walker added, “In an era when people doing right are often overlooked, we find it particularly rewarding to identify these award winners and, indeed, call them winners. The good deeds they do in their communities make all of us winners -- and we thank them.”

The awards program was expanded this year to seek honorees from the entire network of F&M Bank, which now includes 23 branches spread from South Bay to San Clemente. Each honoree received an award that captured a virtue that F&M Bank embraces. Honorees were nominated primarily by F&M employees. The 2013 honorees include:

·         Dr. Hanna Alexander, Torrance, ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

·         Jack Berro, Long  Beach, CORNERSTONE AWARD

·         Dr. Bryna Kane and Dr. Edward Glassberg, Long Beach, COMPASSION AWARD

·         Janaille Golledge, Anaheim Hills, LEADERSHIP AWARD

·         Dr. William (Bill) A. Grant II, Garden Grove, SERVICE AWARD

·         Helen Irlen, Long Beach, PIONEER AWARD

·         Patrick Murphy, Santa Ana, FELLOWSHIP AWARD

·         Melvin K. Pasley, Lakewood, HELPING HAND AWARD

·         Bebe Shaddock, Laguna Woods, HUMANITARIAN AWARD

·         Donald A. Verleur II, Santa Ana , DEDICATION AWARD

The luncheon, held at Parkers’ Lighthouse Restaurant in Long Beach, was attended by the F&M executive team, nominators, the honorees and their special guests.

About Farmers & Merchants Bank

Founded in Long Beach in 1907 by C.J. Walker, Farmers & Merchants Bank has 23 branches in L.A. and Orange counties. The Bank specializes in commercial and small business banking along with business loan programs. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach is a California state chartered bank with deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Member FDIC) and an Equal Housing Lender. For more information about F&M, please call the media contacts listed or visit the website, www.fmb.com.