Hildebrand's Retirement Brings CEO Change At FCN Bank

By Mike Perleberg Retiring FCN Bank president and CEO Art Hildebrand (left) and the next president and CEO, Thomas Horninger. Photo provided. (Brookville, Ind.) – There will soon be a new person at the top at Brookville-based FCN Bank and FCN Bancorp. The bank announced Monday that Art Hildebrand will retire as FCN’s CEO and president at the end of this year. Effective January 1, chief lending officer Thomas Horninger will move up to fill those roles. Hildebrand, a Brookville native, has been with the bank for 37 years, starting in 1979 as a loan officer. He became the bank’s 11th presidents and chief executive officers in 2006. During that time, he saw FCN open new branches Connersville and Harrison, Ohio. “But perhaps his greatest accomplishment as President was directing FCN through the worst economic recession since the Great Depression,” FCN Bancorp Chairman Kenneth Wanstrath said. “During this time, the Bank remained profitable, it maintained its dividends to the shareholders and it emerged with a strong balance sheet and exceptional asset quality. Due to his leadership, FCN Bank today is secure, well-capitalized and poised for continued success.” Hildebrand will continue to serve as a director for FCN Bank and FCN Bancorp. Horninger has been in Brookville since 1998. He joined the bank in 2007. “Mr. Horninger brought his extensive experience in commercial lending and commercial finance to FCN,” Wanstrath said. “During the past nine years, FCN has not only grown loans during this past recession, it has also diversified its loan portfolio by expanding its commercial and commercial real estate loan portfolios. He, along with President Hildebrand, has emphasized sound underwriting practices and maintained strong credit quality during a difficult lending environment.” FCN Bank is planning a reception to congratulate both men. It will be on Friday, December 16 from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. in the community room at FCN’s main office on Main Street in Brookville. The public is welcome to attend.