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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to recognize Preston G. Smith on his 50
4years of service to the citizens of East Central Illinois as a
5community banker; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Preston Smith began his community banking career
7in 1972, serving as assistant vice president at First National
8Bank in Greenville; he later joined Central National Banks of
9Mattoon in 1979; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Preston Smith purchased, along with a group of
11community-minded investors, The First National Bank of
12Mulberry Grove in Mulberry Grove in 1989, serving as president
13and chairman of the board of directors; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Preston Smith significantly helped develop The
15First National Bank of Mulberry Grove when the announcement
16was made to open a banking center in Mattoon in 1998, with the
17bank's name being shortened to The First National Bank; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Preston Smith led The First National Bank's
19significant growth and investment in the community and began
20construction on a new facility in Mattoon to better serve East
21Central Illinois, opening The First National Bank Wealth

 

 

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1Management and Broadway Banking Center in 2017; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Preston Smith remained president and chairman of
3the board until the bank was sold to Washington Savings Bank in
4Effingham in August 2021, and he continues to serve as a
5consultant; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Preston Smith has been actively involved in his
7community and has served on many boards of directors,
8including the Mattoon Area Family YMCA, the Mattoon Chamber of
9Commerce, and Lakeland Community College; he is also a member
10of numerous civic groups; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Preston Smith served as a member of the Federal
12Delegate Board for the Independent Community Bankers of
13America (ICBA) from 2010 to 2016; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Preston Smith has been an active member of the
15Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI), serving as
16chairman of the board from 2004 to 2005; he is dedicated to
17CBAI's mission of keeping community banks competitive for the
18benefit of their customers and the communities they serve
19through delivery of quality education, effective
20representation, and essential products and services;
21therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
2HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
3we recognize Preston G. Smith on his 50 years in community
4banking and wish him many more wonderful years; and be it
5further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to Preston Smith as an expression of our esteem and
8respect.