2025 was People First Bancshares Inc.’s Best Year

Pana, Ill. – May 28, 2026– People First Bancshares Inc., held its annual meeting at Peoples Bank & Trust in Pana, IL. During the meeting, the Board of Directors elected directors and discussed the organization’s performance over the past year.

In 2025, the Company recorded an $11 million increase in gross loan volume to $424 million, an $18 million increase in deposit volume to $498 million, and a $1.3 million increase in net income to $9.5 million. During the report of operations, Gardner reported, “These results didn’t come at the expense of Community or Customer Service. Bank employees and directors provided over 6,500 hours of volunteer community service and provided our high level of customer service that 95.8% of our customers have rated as “Good” or “Excellent” while generating 41 new SBA or USDA guaranteed loans.”

Gardner noted numerous operational, network, data communications, and equipment upgrades to make our data more secure and make our operations more efficient and customer friendly. Gardner highlighted the bank’s ATM plus network improvements, “The ATM plus network upgrades to our drive up banking services are our first step in a long-term plan to modernize and improve our branch customer service model.” Gardner explained, “The ATM plus network improves the personal drive up customer banking experience and improves employee efficiency to allow for 30% more lobby service hours and 39% more drive up service hours with no additional staffing cost. The ATM plus network allows our staff more availability for customer contact and service.”

In closing, Gardner stated, “With improvements in performance for our shareholders, communities and customers, the board and management are very proud of our 2025 employee accomplishments. 2025 was truly Peoples Bank & Trust’s best year yet!”

Also during the meeting, Brad Davis, Josh Shallenberger, and Kelly Evans were re-elected to three-year terms as directors of the Bank and Holding Company. Other directors of the Bank and Holding Company are David Dorn, Jr, Christopher Swing, Brittany D. Walters, Michael E. Beyers, John Gardner, and Robert Swartz.

During the organizational meeting of the Board of Directors of People First Bancshares, Inc. which followed the annual meeting, Brad Davis was re-elected Chairman of the Board and Christopher Swing was re-elected Vice Chairman of the Board. Other officers include John Gardner, President & CEO; James Adcock, Secretary; Terry Schafer, Asst. Secretary and Craig Deere, Treasurer & CFO.

Peoples Bank & Trust is a locally owned and managed, independent community bank with thirteen offices located in Tuscola, Arthur, Arcola, Charleston, Altamont, Tower Hill, Pana, Taylorville, Morrisonville, Springfield, Waverly, Palmyra and White Hall. Peoples Bank & Trust is a full-service bank offering outstanding customer service to consumers, small businesses, and farmers in Central Illinois. People First Bancshares, Inc., with corporate offices in Pana, Illinois, is the holding company for Peoples Bank & Trust.