PANDORA __ First National Bank (FNB) has promoted Brendon Matthews as President, succeeding Todd Mason, who will remain CEO and serve as Chairperson of the Board.
Matthews has worked in a variety of roles in his 22 years in banking, including teller, branch manager, small business lender, sales manager, Senior Lender, Executive Vice President and his most recent role as Chief Lending Officer.
Matthews is originally from Bluffton and is a graduate of Bluffton High School. He received his undergraduate degree in English at Anderson University in Anderson, IN in 2002. After starting his banking career at Madison Community Bank in Anderson (now First Merchants Bank), Matthews earned his MBA from Anderson University and then moved back to Bluffton in 2006 and joined First National Bank.
Matthews is a graduate of the Barret Graduate School of Banking in Memphis, and the Ohio Banker’s League Blythe Bank Management program. In 2021, he earned a Doctorate degree in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University.
In the community, Matthews is a Bluffton Lion, has served as a Rotarian, was board chair for the Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs and for the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce. Brendon has taught undergraduate classes as an adjunct professor at Bluffton University. At the Ohio Bankers League, he served as a member and then as Chairperson of the Next Gen Advisory Board.
When he’s not working, Matthews enjoys trail running, sports and keeping up with his three daughters’ many activities. Brendon has coached all three of his daughters on the Bluffton High School soccer team and watched his older two play college soccer at Bluffton and Heidelberg universities. Matthews lives in Bluffton with his wife Renee.
Mason states, “Brendon has been a vital leader in First National Bank’s growth over the last 18 years. His background and experience will add strength and a unique perspective to lead FNB into the future. His steadfast commitment to the bank’s mission and values will strengthen First National Bank’s position as a leading community focused bank.”
Mason has a combined 39 years of banking experience in various roles at community banks, with 20 of those years at FNB. He has served as President of First National Bank since 2007. He has previously served on the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, the Board of the Community Bank Council of the American Bankers Association, and the Ohio State University Lima Advisory Board. He is currently a Board member of the Ohio Bankers League and serves as their Treasurer.
“I am excited to continue to serve the bank and live out our mission of improving lives through community banking in the capacity of CEO and Chairperson of the Board.”
