After nine years as the president and CEO of First Security Bank, M. Lynn Cooper announced his 45 years in banking is coming to a close. Effective Dec. 31, 2015, Cooper will retire and be able to reflect on his time at First Security. He contributed to successful growth of the bank during a difficult economic time, seeing the company expand from two locations in Owensboro, Kentucky, to 11 locations in six markets and two states.
“We were real fortunate and we just had a bunch of good people working hard together for the same common purpose,” says Cooper. “We felt really good about helping people, especially during that time when banks got a little weary about loaning anybody money.”
The University of Evansville graduate, who discussed First Security’s development in the “The Changing Face of Local Banking” in the June/July 2013 issue of Evansville Business, says over the recent years, the growth of First Security is the accomplishment he has been most proud of. Not only did the team quadruple the size of the bank, Cooper says, but they achieved record profits as well.
As his time at First Security draws to a close, Cooper says he will miss interacting and working with a great team of people who “have a big heart,” but he is looking forward to spending more quality time with his family, including eight grandchildren. He also hopes to help others in business and banking try to be more successful and has been approached to serve on several boards, including a corporate board.
“Working at First Security has allowed me to fulfill a dream and a goal,” he says. “(My advice to others) is be confident and persistent in your quest. Act as if it will happen, not considering whether it won’t. And try to find the good in all situations and people.”
For more information about First Security Bank, call 812-759-2332 or visit firstsecurity.net.
