Matt Merkel joins German American Bank as Southwest Senior Regional President

EVANSVILLE, IN — German American Bank is excited to announce that Matt Merkel has joined the company as Southwest Senior Regional President.  In this role, Matt will work with the company’s leadership team serving the Evansville, Newburgh, Princeton, Henderson, Owensboro, Tell City and Rockport communities. As Senior Regional President, he will oversee region strategy, community engagement, the delivery of relationship-focused commercial banking, and the continued expansion of the bank’s presence throughout the respective region. Matt joins a talented leadership team of Lindsay Botsch, Evansville Market President; Tony Krampe, Owensboro Market President; Jim Thomas, Regional Credit Officer; Tony Loudermilk, Regional Senior Retail Banking Officer; and Krista Neihaus, Owensboro Market Senior Retail Banking Officer. 

“Matt’s experience as a banking and community leader makes him a great fit for German American Bank’s unique style of community banking, which focuses on local decision making, value-added counsel, relationship building and strong community involvement,” states Neil Dauby, German American Bank Chairman and CEO. “He joins an already strong and dedicated team of local financial professionals. I look forward to watching Matt work with his local leadership team as they continue to serve our customers with excellence and grow our market presence.”

Matt brings more than 30 years of banking and leadership experience, including prior roles in commercial lending, community banking and team development. Most recently, he served as Market President at Old National Bank. He holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Western Kentucky University.  He has volunteered on numerous boards and charitable fund-raising campaigns through the years, currently serving on the boards of the USI Foundation, Signature School Foundation and the Memorial High School Finance Committee. Matt has also assisted in the recent fundraising campaigns for United Way, Memorial High School Capital Campaign and the American Red Cross Heart Walk. Matt is a long-time resident of Southwest Indiana and lives in Evansville with his wife, Julie. 

"My heart is firmly planted in community banking, and joining German American Bank truly feels like coming home to my community banking roots,” said Merkel. “Not only is the company financially strong and large enough to serve the most sophisticated clients, it’s strong commitment to local values resonates throughout the bank. I look forward to contributing to the success and growth of our customers, employees and our local communities.”