Chamber Spotlight: Old National Bank

The Manchester Mirror is partnering with the Manchester Chamber of Commerce to highlight a different Chamber of Commerce member each week! This week we are spotlighting Old National Bank. Visit https://48158.com/ for information on joining the Chamber.

Old National Bank's branch office in Manchester is located in a building that was once a butcher shop, and there are many holes in the exposed brick walls where meat was hung on large hooks. "When it rains, every now and then we get a centipede or two that crawls out of the holes and scares the staff," said Tammy Melcher, branch manager.

Among the branch's four bankers, Allyson Hanes, Amy Polzin, Shellie Whitaker, and Tammy Melcher, there are 40 years' combined banking experience. Each week, the bank hosts Cookie and Coffee Fridays, where they offer free cups of coffee and a cookie to clients. "And we love to laugh and joke with our clients," Melcher adds.

Old National Bank has been selected as one of  the World’s Most Ethical Company List for 10 years in a row. Old National Bancorp is expecting to merge with First Midwest Bancorp in early 2022. This is a true merger of equals and the merger will make Old National the sixth largest bank headquartered in the Midwest. "Even though we will be larger, both banks are Customer Service- and Community-focused, and that will continue to be our culture," says Melcher. "With this merger, nothing will change for our clients as First Midwest is changing to Old National Bank. We will just have more locations in the six states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin."

Locally, Old National supports several organizations, including sponsoring many Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce Events including CRC/MACC golf event, Third Thursdays, and Christmas in the Village. They also have supported the Chicken Broil, Masonic Lodge Golf event, and senior and church events. "Christmas is where we shine as a community supporter of Toys for Tots, Warm the Children, and we also sponsor the GIVING TREE for Manchester Family Services," Melcher adds. "We will have the GIVING TREE in the lobby beginning on Monday, November 22. For those who don’t know about the GIVING TREE, it includes the adopt-a-family through MFS. MFS provides us with the age and gender of the child; we put them on the Christmas tags and hang them on a tree in the ONB lobby. People come in, select a tag, and purchase gifts for that particular child. The gifts and the tag are returned to the bank, and the gifts are given to the children. MFS keeps all the children and families confidential. We have had very generous givers and we hope to continue that tradition this year as well."

Why did Tammy join the Chamber of Commerce? "Old National Bank is a big believer in being involved in the communities that we serve, so when I was searching for organizations that I could feel passionate about, the MACC was a good fit. At the time, there was little attendance at membership meetings and they were searching for a Treasurer, so I volunteered for the position. MACC is in a transition period, with changes in leadership and internal organization of processes. It hasn’t been easy, but the board is determined to find ways to help the merchants draw business into Manchester and provide fun activities for the community. For me, the MACC also provided me with the opportunity to be aware of what is happening in Manchester and be active in the community."

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.