Pub. 10 2019 Issue 4

Winter 2019 9 West Virginia Banker Mike Lieving Announces Retirement T he Farmers Bank & Savings Co., Pomeroy, Ohio, recently announced the upcoming retirement of Mike Lieving — president of their West Virginia Division and the bank’s chief lending officer and retail officer. Mike will continue on with the company as a valued member of their board of directors and as a member of the board of directors of their holding company, Farmers Bancshares, Inc. With the announcement, Paul Reed, chairman and CEO, said, “It is difficult to imagine a day at Farmers Bank without Mike. He has been a constant for our customers and our employees for over 17 years. The impact he has had on our company and our communities is truly immeasur- able. We are fortunate that we will continue to be guided by his leadership and vision through his continued service as a member of our boards of directors.” After a career spanning over 43 years, Mike is widely known and respected as a true community banker. He began his career in 1976 with City Loan & Savings Company, holding various positions through- out southeast Ohio, and later joined the Peoples Bank of West Virginia (now City National Bank) as a consumer loan officer where he was promoted through the ranks to the position of president of the Ohio Valley Region. Known for his reputation as a banker, he was recruited in 2002 by the Farmers Bank & Savings Co. to lead their expansion into West Virginia. Under Mike’s leadership, Farmers Bank built and grew successful offic- es in Mason, Point Pleasant and Hurricane, West Virginia. In addition to serving as the president of the West Virginia Division for the Bank, Mike expanded his scope in 2012 to include responsibility as the Bank’s chief lending officer and retail administrative officer for all of the bank’s retail locations. Out of the office, Mike dedicated many years to the banking industry through government relations and industry development efforts culminating in a term as the chair- man of the West Virginia Bankers Association from 2013-2014. He also served in active leadership roles for the Mason County Chamber of Commerce, Mason County Development Authority, Mason County Community Foundation, Pleasant Valley Hospital, and many other community and philanthropic organizations. The impact of Mike’s career and his banking legacy will carry on for years to come — not only on bal- ance sheets but in the homes that he helped his neighbors own, the businesses that he helped to build, and the careers of the bankers he coached and mentored. 