Isn't That Rich Podcast

If there is one thing this past year reminded us of, it is that marketing at a community bank looks very different than most people expect. It is not just graphics and campaigns. It is early mornings, late nights, loading vans, counting pennies, standing in parades, serving coffee, and showing up wherever our communities need us.

Each year, our marketing team takes time to reflect on everything that happened. And every year, we are surprised by just how much fits into twelve short months. This review is not just about events on a calendar. It is about relationships, impact, and the moments that mattered most.

Here is a look back at everything 2025 held for our team and our communities.

January: A Strong Start with Giving and Community Support

The year began, as it always does, with our involvement in Z100’s Quest for a Million Pennies for St. Jude. Across our branches, staff collected, counted, rolled, and tracked thousands of pennies donated by schools, organizations, and individuals. It was a major team effort, especially for frontline staff who handled the logistics while continuing to serve customers.

Each branch brought its own creativity to the fundraiser. At the Marion East branch, the Valentine’s rose fundraiser returned, with bulk roses wrapped and sold to customers looking to support a good cause while celebrating someone they love.

While sales were lower than expected this year, the extra bouquets became something far more meaningful. The remaining flowers were delivered to local nursing homes, where residents were surprised with personal visits, conversations, and a small gift that made a big impact. What started as a simple fundraiser turned into one of the most emotional and memorable moments of the year.

Altogether, nearly $15,000 was donated through Quest for a Million Pennies. An additional $2,500 raised through the Marion igloo lounges during the holidays was also applied toward the campaign, strengthening the overall impact.

February: Professional Growth and Thoughtful Giving

February marked the start of a year-long Accredited Banking Professional program for members of the marketing team. Through long webinar days, extensive reading, and hands-on learning alongside banking professionals from across the country, the team gained a deeper understanding of sales, service, and customer needs. The experience strengthened not only marketing strategy but also the way customers are served.

February also brought a shift in one of our favorite traditions. Instead of delivering cheesecakes during the busy December season, customer cheesecake deliveries were moved to February. Over 250 heart-shaped cheesecakes were personally delivered to customers and community partners, along with handwritten notes. The timing made the gesture feel more personal and more memorable.

Later in the month, FSB Insurance hosted a business-focused seminar at Kokopelli centered on life insurance and key person insurance. Business owners gathered to learn how these policies protect companies when unexpected events occur. The discussion sparked thoughtful questions and helped many attendees better understand how insurance fits into long-term business continuity.

March: Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom

In March, the team attended the Harrisburg career fair with a goal of offering something practical and lasting. Instead of traditional giveaways, students were offered free professional headshots. These photos gave students a valuable tool for job applications, college submissions, and online profiles.

Many students arrived hesitant but left more confident, encouraged to think about how they present themselves professionally. It was a small gesture with real, long-term value.

April: Celebrations and a Major Milestone

April was one of the busiest months of the year. The first triannual employee celebration brought staff together for an evening of music trivia, themed tables, and plenty of laughter. These celebrations are an important way to recognize employees and strengthen connections across branches.

April also marked a major milestone with the first Money Smart Reality Fair held at Harrisburg High School. After more than a year of planning, the event came to life with volunteers, booths, and hands-on simulations that allowed students to experience real-world financial decision-making.

Students navigated housing costs, transportation, childcare, unexpected expenses, and budgeting challenges. The response was overwhelming. Teachers immediately requested the program for their schools, and students shared powerful feedback about how the experience changed their perspective on money and responsibility.

The level of detail, organization, and presentation stood out to educators, reinforcing the importance of delivering programs with excellence and intention.

May: Scholarships, HerrinFesta, and Community Experiences

Following the Harrisburg Reality Fair, two $500 scholarships were awarded to students during Harrisburg’s scholarship night. These scholarships are intentionally flexible, allowing recipients to use the funds for college, trade school, tools, or certifications that support their next step.

May also brought HerrinFesta Italiana, where the bank again sponsored the Entertainment Tent, ensuring free live music throughout the week. From bocce tournaments and parades to concerts and community gatherings, HerrinFesta remained one of the most visible and active sponsorships of the year.

In addition, the bank’s suite at Thrillville continued to be heavily utilized by schools, churches, and community partners. Graduations, celebrations, and family nights filled the space, making sure the opportunity was shared and enjoyed.

Summer: Education, New Tools, and Long-Standing Traditions

July introduced a new initiative with a financial health seminar specifically for churches and nonprofits. Hosted at Kokopelli, the event addressed marketing, fraud prevention, and financial stewardship. Church leaders expressed gratitude for being included and supported, noting that opportunities like this are often overlooked.

That same month, the marketing team received a new vehicle, quickly nicknamed the “swag wagon.” The upgraded van became a critical tool for events, parades, and daily operations, replacing an aging vehicle that had seen many busy years.

August followed with two long-standing traditions. The annual peach giveaway, in partnership with Rendleman Orchards, continued a practice that dates back to the mid-1990s. Customers and community members lined up on one of the hottest days of the year to receive fresh peaches and recipes.

August also marked the release of Touchdown T-shirts, a highly anticipated annual giveaway tied to the start of the school year and football season. Demand was as strong as ever, with shirts quickly disappearing and reappearing throughout the community.

The month included back-to-school coffee for teachers, new pylon sign installations across multiple branches, and the beginning of a major renovation at the Marion East branch. A widened drive-thru and exterior updates addressed long-standing safety and access issues, representing a significant investment in customer experience.

Fall: Growth, Giving, and Momentum

Fall brought the second triannual employee celebration, this time with a Family Feud theme, as well as sponsorships for the Mosaic Initiative Lantern Festival and the Arrowleaf Gala. Both events highlighted meaningful causes, from supporting survivors of human trafficking to funding an emergency shelter.

September also marked the launch of the bank’s mentorship program, giving employees the opportunity to explore different departments and career paths. The program reflects a long-term commitment to developing talent from within.

Parade season followed, with a refreshed approach that made setup easier while still delivering visually strong floats. Decorations were later donated to local schools for homecoming events, extending their value beyond a single day.

October included the second Money Smart Reality Fair at Herrin High School, where adjustments were made based on lessons learned earlier in the year. Larger student groups reinforced the need for longer sessions and additional volunteers. Feedback remained strong, and scholarship recipients were later selected.

The month also included Boo in the Burg, large teacher conferences in Eldorado and Marion, and the start of CRM evaluations, a complex but necessary step toward improving customer engagement and internal efficiency.

Closing Out the Year Strong

The podcast studio relocated again this year, settling into a new space in Harrisburg that offers improved lighting, comfort, and consistency. Despite the longer drive, the new setup supports ongoing podcast growth and production.

An ambassador dinner at Milkweed Provisions brought together community leaders for a thoughtfully curated evening focused on connection, shared values, and deeper relationships. It was the first time many ambassadors had gathered together, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

The year wrapped with additional career fairs, holiday events like Herrin Hometown Christmas, Very Merry Marion Lights Parade, Christmas in the Courtyard, and a final Money Smart Reality Fair at Eldorado. The last fair expanded to include smaller surrounding schools, ensuring more students could participate and benefit.

Finally, the annual Christmas party closed the year with celebration, gratitude, and reflection on everything accomplished together.

Looking Ahead

When looking back on 2025, what stands out most is not just the number of events, but the depth of impact behind them. From students gaining confidence, to teachers feeling appreciated, to community members being seen and supported, every initiative carried purpose.

Each year builds on the last, and every new idea opens the door to something bigger. With momentum from this year and a clear focus on what matters most, planning for 2026 is already underway.

The work continues, and so does the commitment to serve, educate, and invest in the communities we call home.