“Harriett Brown Named Leader in Banking Excellence by Indiana Bankers Association”

Harriett Brown, past president of Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company, Jasper, was posthumously honored by the Indiana Bankers Association with the IBA Leaders in Banking Excellence award, presented on August 5, 2022 at a special ceremony in Indianapolis, Indiana. This prestigious award celebrates exceptional leaders who have made a positive impact on Indiana banks and communities.

Harriett Brown began her 63-year banking career in 1926 at West Baden National Bank in West Baden Springs, joining the board of directors in 1949. The bank later became Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company. Brown was named president of Springs Valley in 1971, distinguishing her as one of the first female bank presidents in Indiana.

Mr. Jamie Shinabarger, current President and CEO of Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company, stated, “I can’t imagine a more fitting capstone to the Springs Valley Bank 120th anniversary than acknowledging Harriett Brown, one of Indiana’s first female bank presidents, with an amazing finance career that spanned over six decades!”

“I had the pleasure of working with Harriett Brown for two years before her retirement,” stated Angie Jones, former Retail Deposit Manager with Springs Valley. “She was a very special lady at the Bank and highly respected in our community.”

James C. Tucker, who serves on Springs Valley’s Board of Directors, knew Harriett and shared his recollections: “It was my pleasure as a young lawyer representing Springs Valley Bank to have many occasions to work with Harriett Brown, then-president of the Bank. We became friends and that friendship lasted until her death in 2004 at age 98. She and Arnold Habig [founder of Springs Valley] were a wonderful team in advancing the Bank in its early years. Harriett Brown had charisma and high intellect which aided her in her rise to election as the president of the Bank in a male-dominated field.”

Four other members of the Indiana banking community were inducted into the class of 2022 leaders by IBA. Springs Valley wishes to congratulate the 2022 class of IBA Leaders in Banking Excellence: Andrew J. Briggs, Farmers & Merchants State Bank; Geneva Harriett Brown (deceased), Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company; David W. Heeter, Northwest Bank; John M. Kennedy, gbcBANK; Garry D. Kleer, First Bank Richmond.

For a brief historical look at Harriett Brown’s rich legacy and her contribution to the Springs Valley Bank franchise and Indiana banking overall, visit: https://svbt.bank/About-Us.aspx#History 

Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company is a subsidiary of SVB&T Corporation, headquartered at 8482 West State Road 56, French Lick, Indiana 47432 with administrative offices at 1500 Main Street, Jasper, Indiana 47546. Springs Valley has locations in Dubois, Daviess, Gibson, and Orange Counties, offering full-service bank and financial services. Springs Valley has products and services for all types of families and businesses, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, electronic services, online consumer and mortgage applications and a variety of other loan options. Springs Valley Bank is a member of FDIC and is an Equal Housing Lender.

In addition, the company has a full-service financial advisory group managed by experienced, talented professionals specializing in estate planning, tax planning and wealth management. Investment Services are also offered by a licensed, professional Springs Valley representative. Trust and Investment products are not deposits; not insured by the FDIC; not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by, the depository institution; not insured by any Federal Government Agency; may lose value - subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

More information can be found online at www.svbt.bank. The company’s stock is traded on the OTCQX trading platform under ticker symbol SVBT (www.otcmarkets.com). 

More Information

For more information contact: Dianna Land, SEVP, HR & Marketing Director, at 812.634.4963 or eMail at dbland@svbt.com.