Maroon background with photo of Charles Driest

F&M Bank Appoints Chief Experience Officer

For Immediate Release
April 10, 2023

F&M Bank’s Director of Digital Banking, Charles Driest, assumes the role of Chief Experience Officer as the Company drives toward continued success in strategic growth initiatives, technology infrastructure, and digital banking services.

Mr. Driest joined F&M Bank in January 2022 and has contributed to many significant operational and digital banking initiatives and previously held leadership roles in both deposit operations and marketing at other financial institutions.

While at Essex Bank, Charles led multiple teams to overhaul and update the organization’s mobile banking services, spearheaded campaigns on checking accounts and credit cards, as well as, significant cost reduction efforts.

F&M Bank’s President and CEO Mark Hanna commented, “Charles will continue to drive our digital banking initiatives and will assume leadership of deposit operations, marketing, and IT. I am confident Charles will help foster the continued success of these departments as he improves our digital capabilities.”

Charles earned a master’s in business administration with a concentration in Finance from St. John’s University, Peter J. Tobin College of Business, and graduated from the Virginia Bankers’ School of Bank Management held at the Darden College of Business in Charlottesville. Mr. Driest commented, “I’m thankful for the opportunity to put my experience to work, and I look forward to building on the team success I’ve already enjoyed here at F&M Bank. We will combine committed people and dynamic technology solutions to deliver exceptional experiences.”

About F&M Bank
F&M Bank Corp. (OTCQX: FMBM) proudly remains the only publicly traded organization based in Rockingham County, VA, and since 1908, has served the Shenandoah Valley through its banking subsidiary F&M Bank, with full-service branches and a wide variety of financial services, including home loans through F&M Mortgage, and real estate settlement services and title insurance through VSTitle. Both individuals and businesses find the organization’s local decision-making and up-to-date technology provide the kind of responsive, knowledgeable, and reliable service that only a progressive community bank can. F&M Bank has grown to $1 billion in assets with more than 175 full- and part-time employees. Its conservative approach to finances, sound investments, and excellent customer service have made F&M Bank profitable and continues to pave the way for a bright future.

For more information, please contact Holly Thorne, (540) 437-3462 or marketing@fmbankva.com.
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