First State Community Bank

FSCB wins three category awards

In this year’s Best of the Parkland, First State Community Bank was awarded fi rst place in three categories: Best Bank Services, Best Employer/ Workplace, and Best Philanthropic Business. Additionally, First State Financial Management was chosen as a fi nalist in Financial Planning Service.

The founders of the bank were part of Farmington’s tightknit community. During a time of economic struggle, businessman B.H. Jennings saw a need for locally-owned banking services in the region. Gathering investors, he formed First State Bank in 1954, now known as First State Community Bank.

Still headquartered in its “hometown” of Farmington, FSCB has grown to include more than 50 locations throughout southeast, eastern and central Missouri and hires between 250-300 employees in St. Francois County alone.

“We are very communityoriented — that’s why the word community is in our name, and it’s something that we live by,” said FSCB President/CEO Matt Sebastian. “We encourage community involvement and community projects to enhance the lives of our residents, whether it may be in the form of making commercial loans for new businesspeople or contributing to a school project or community event. We encourage involvement from our employees’ standpoint.”

According to Sebastian, having management and board members who are local to each bank is essential to FSCB’s spirit of encouraging a strong connection with every community in which they have a presence.

“One of the things we do in these markets is have a local board of directors,” he said. “There’s a lot of banks that don’t do that anymore. Fredericktown has its own board of directors made up of businesspeople from Fredericktown; Ironton’s got their own.

“We have presidents at each one of our communities that we encourage to get involved. The reason we do that is twofold. Number one, it helps us to keep an eye on that community and what needs to be done. Two, they help us with good business decisions and feedback. A huge key to our success is that we’ve emulated this in every market that we’ve been in.”

This is not the fi rst time FSCB has been recognized in the Best of the Parkland. Asked how it felt to know that people in the Parkland think so highly of the bank, Sebastian said, “We’re very proud of that fact. We give a lot in our communities. We do things that hopefully enhance the quality of life in our communities. We’ve been doing that for years.

“We have what’s called an Impact Project that we do at each one of our branches every year. We pick some sort of charitable event — something that we can do for Habitat for Humanity, donating money to the food banks or building a playground over at My Sister’s Closet, different things like that.

“This past year, we’ve doubled the amount we’ve contributed to the Impact Project because of the pandemic. We felt like we needed to invest more in our communities because everybody was struggling a little more than usual with what was going on. We’re more than just a bank.”

First State Community Bank is proud to be a part of the communities in which it serves. Pictured at the Farmington location from left are Matt Stites, loan offi cer; Lauren Brockmiller, loan coordinator; Skyler Carter, loan coordinator; Taylor Miller, mortgage loan offi cer; Greg Sebastian, loan offi cer; Darla Hayes, assistant vice president; Sarah Amsden, loan coordinator; Isabella Wisdom, deposit services representative; Ryan Montgomery, teller; Lisa LaPlante, receptionist; Matt Sebastian, president/CEO; Vickie Hatfi eld, safe deposit box representative; Gabby Collins, branch manager; Dan Combs, chief investment offi cer; Maggie Smith, fi nancial crimes fraud specialist; and Dana Corcoran, Club & Community coordinator. Best of the Parkland 2021 | 9

FayeLynn Beautique WINNER 502 E Woodlawn Dr., Leadington, MO 63601 (573) 327-9948 www.facebook.com/FayeLynnBeautique/

The Boulevard Finalist 423 W Karsch Blvd., Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 756-1327 www.theboulevardspa.com

Ultimate Tans Finalist 1138 N Desloge Dr., Desloge, MO 63601 (573) 431-1130 Facebook

Tattoo Shop

Liberty Tattoo WINNER 119 W Liberty St., Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 218-9170 libertytattoo573.com

Artisan Ink Finalist 204 S A St. #206, Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 330-3957 www.facebook.com/Artisaninktat/

Rockstar Tattoo Studio Finalist 4321 Showplace Dr., Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 756-5274 www.facebook.com/rockstartattoopiercingstudio

BRIDAL AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS DINING AND RESTAURANTS

Catering

Thee Abbey Kitchen/Arcadia Academy WINNER 211 S College St., Arcadia, MO 63621 (573) 546-4249 www.arcadiaacademy.com

12 West Bar & Grill Finalist 12 W Columbia St., Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 760-1135 www.12westbarandgrill.com Bow Tie Catering Finalist 208 N Harry Jr St., Desloge, MO 63601 (573) 631-8051 www.bowtiecatering.net

Dress Shop

The Bridal Shoppe WINNER 525 Bailey Road, Crystal City, MO 63019 (636) 931-8464 www.bridalshoppeinc.com

Keenly Bridal & Prom Runner Up 210 E Woodlawn Dr., Leadington, MO 63601 (573) 431-0342 www.keenlybridal.com

His & Hers Formal Wear Finalist 128 E High St., Potosi, MO 63664 (573) 438-3875 www.facebook.com/HisHersFormalWear/

Florist

Butterfi elds Florist & Gifts WINNER 302 W Columbia St., Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 756-6696 www.butterfi eldsfl orist.com

Copper Fox Contrived Finalist (573) 218-8511 www.copperfoxcontrived.com

Ike’s Florist Finalist 425 W Karsch Blvd., Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 756-6441 www.ikesfl orist.com

Photograher

KC Photography WINNER (573) 366-1792 www.kcphotographykc.com

Lyndsey Paige Photography Finalist (573) 210-6226 lyndseypaigephoto.com

Venue

Twin Oaks Vineyard WINNER 6470 Hwy F, Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 756-6500 www.twinoaksvineyard.com

Thee Abbey Kitchen/Arcadia Academy Finalist 211 S College St., Arcadia, MO 63621 (573) 546-4249 www.arcadiaacademy.com

The Barn at Lone Eagle Landing Finalist 12719 State Route F, Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670 (573) 315-3233 www.barnatloneeaglelanding.com

Bar Food

Hubs Pub and Grill WINNER 220 West High Street, Potosi, MO 63664 (573) 436-4827 10 North Dover Street, Bonne Terre, MO 63628 (573) 358-9098 www.hubspubandgrill.com/home

The Old Mine Crab House Bar & Grill Finalist 602 E Karsch Blvd, Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 664-1113 Facebook

Stix & Steins Finalist 805 Valley Creek Dr., Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 756-3636 www.stixandsteins.com