First Mid Illinois Bancshares : Spencer Russell Named Paris Community Bank President at First Mid

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2019
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SPENCER RUSSELL NAMED PARIS COMMUNITY BANK PRESIDENT

AT FIRST MID

MATTOON, IL - First Mid Bank & Trust recently announced the promotion of Spencer Russell to Paris Community Bank President. In this role, Russell will be responsible for promoting core business lines of traditional banking, establishing relationships within the community, and managing the operations of commercial lending.

Russell joined First Mid with over sixteen years of customer service experience and over ten years of combined experience in the insurance, banking and financial services industry. Prior to his recent promotion, Russell held the position of First Mid's Vice President and Designated Officer in Consumer Underwriting. He also served as Vice President and Head of Consumer Lending and as Assistant Vice President and Loan Officer at First Bank & Trust in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Russell stated, "I'm very excited about the opportunity that has been extended to me. I look forward to continuing to serve the families and businesses in our area, and strengthening the relationship ties within our community."

"I'm extremely pleased that Spencer has stepped into the role of Community Bank President," said Larry Stenger, Regional President. "His involvement in the Paris community over the past twenty-five years and his previous contributions at First Bank & Trust make him a perfect selection for this role."

Since 2001, Russell has been an active member of his local congregation, volunteering his skills and time to help them with accounting, construction projects and ministry work. In addition to this, he is also a member of the Paris Economic Development Corporation.

Russell currently resides in Paris with his wife of twenty-five years, Audrey.

About First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc.: First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. is the parent company of First Mid Bank & Trust, N.A., First Mid Insurance Group and First Mid WealthManagement Company. First Mid Bank & Trust was first chartered in 1865 and has since grown into a $3.8 billion community-focused organization that provides financial services through a network of 67 banking centers in Illinois and Missouri and a loan production office in Indiana. More information about the Company is available on our website atwww.firstmid.com. Our stock is traded in The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol "FMBH".