First Bank of Berne is pleased to announce that Jayde Ketring, an agribusiness banker at their Bluffton branch, has been named agribusiness banking manager.
First Bank of Berne’s appointment of Jayde underscores its ongoing commitment to supporting the prosperity and growth of the agricultural sector, and to providing farmers, and agribusinesses with the financial resources and expertise they need to thrive.
A proven leader with a lifelong love of farming, Jayde brings deep academic knowledge of the industry, excellent communication skills, a results-driven talent for financial analyses, and a genuine commitment to meeting customers’ needs to her new role.
“I am fully confident that Jayde will lead First Bank of Berne’s agribusiness division to new heights of success. Her expert understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing the agribusiness industry are essential to our ability to help clients achieve financial goals and sustainably grow their operations,” said Kent Liechty, President & CEO of First Bank of Berne.
Jayde is a graduate of Southern Wells Junior-Senior High School in Poneto, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business and Management from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She began her career in seed sales before moving into ag banking several years ago. Jayde enjoys ag banking because it combines three of her favorite things: personal relationships, community involvement, and working with numbers. Her diverse skillset and nearly two decades of experience have brought tremendous value to the farmers and businesses in and around the Wells County area.
“First Bank of Berne has a wonderful team of knowledgeable and experienced ag bankers, and I am honored to be selected to lead this team. I look forward to continuing our work in helping area ag businesses grow and prosper. I am also devoted to ensuring that First Bank of Berne maintains its ranking and reputation as an American Bankers Association Top 100 Farm Lender in the nation,” said Jayde.
Jayde’s community and industry involvement began in her youth, where she helped with the family farm and was actively involved with both 4-H Club and Future Farmers of America. In addition, she has livestock experience and participated in collegiate-level internships, in which she learned the equipment side of farming.
Jayde enjoys speaking with farmers and appreciates the ever-changing landscape of the agribusiness industry. Her work ethic and passion for agriculture are evident as she works hard to help clients reach their goals. Jayde is taking the reins of agribusiness banking manager from Rick Gentis, who plans to retire at the end of the year.
