Customers of First Bank and Trust Company's Carbondale branch will see a new -- but most likely familiar -- face at that office.
Marlene Ferguson, as of Feb. 8, took the position of assistant vice president/branch manager/lender at First Bank and Trust Company's Carbondale branch, located at 2471 W. Main in the West Plaza Shopping Center.
"This was a good opportunity," said Ferguson. "It brought me back into the Carbondale community, where I hope to help the company (First Bank) grow," said.
It also is a good opportunity for the bank.
"We believe that Marlene will help increase our lending in the Carbondale market, which she knows so well," said First Bank and Trust Company Bank President/CEO Michael Cripps. "With her vast experience, she will do very well."
With Ferguson, comes years of banking experience.
She began her banking career as a part-time teller in 1986 and, within a year, was promoted to full-time teller. Taking every opportunity that arose to learn about the banking industry, she worked as collections secretary -- which introduced her to lending -- then as a loan processor before being promoted to branch manager.
"I was a single parent, so I got into banking in order to provide for my family," she said.
Ferguson has two sons, Adam Rath, who is in the United States military, and Drew Ferguson.
"The best place to start if your interested in a banking career is at the bottom, so that you can learn how the bank operations work. Work hard and learn all that you can," she advised. "It helps to have very good mentors. I always had that through the years."
For more information on First Bank and Trust Company Carbondale Branch, visit their website at www.fb-t.com.