Headshot of Jon Lowry on gold tessellated background
Headshot of Jon Lowry on gold tessellated background

A message from your market president

Local industries make the Indianapolis region thrive. We are happy to help these companies continue growing value in their businesses. Manufacturing, distribution, wholesale and business services are just a few of the industries we specialize in. Check out our dynamic team below; we have over 140 combined years of experience and are committed to delivering the right solutions to our clients.

We look forward to continuing growing our relationship with you.

Jon Lowry
Market President
Greater Indianapolis

Featured deals

Business Management Consultant | Adam Clinton

Physician practice acquisition | Jake Sappenfield

Community philanthropic initiatives

Martindale-Brightwood C.D.C.

The Martindale-Brightwood Community Development Corporation (MBCDC) is dedicated to developing their communities for the health and wealth of new and lifelong residents. Much of their economic, housing, and environmental revitalization work takes place with a host of community partners who share in the vision of improving the community. The organization offers many programs, including homeowner repair and weatherization, economic development, neighborhood beautification, workforce development, environmental justice, and much more.

Meet the team

Meet our team serving Greater Indianapolis's commercial businesses.

Jon Lowry Headshot
Jon Lowry
Regional President / Central Indiana

Joining First Financial in 2019, Jon has been a commercial banker for over 35 years, providing credit and banking services to a diverse practice across the manufacturing, distribution, trucking, and health care industries. He leads the commercial banking team in the central part of Indiana.

Jon is a graduate of Wittenberg University, has his Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) credential and is a member of the Indiana Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board.

Marty Bales Headshot
Marty Bales
Commercial Relationship Manager
NMLS #746228

A career banker, Marty has been in banking for 38 years. He started as a courier and moved through the bank serving in retail, mortgage, and now focusing on commercial lending.

Helping businesses grow is Marty’s passion and he works with his clients to expand their footprint in local communities. Marty’s work has led him to receive the bank’s Leader Circle Award.

Marty stays active in his community and regularly attends Aspire Johnson County events. He previously served as a board member for the United Way and now sits as an allocations panel member. 

Cindy Grant Headshot
Cindy Grant
Treasury Management Advisor

Cindy has more than 35 years of banking experience in financial services. She joined First Financial Bank in 2022, excited for the opportunity for growth with a company who still cared about the clients who were part of the community not just a number.

Cindy’s experience has offered her diplomas in Consumer Lending, Mortgage Lending, General Banking and Retail Banking, in addition to Small Business Champion Certification. Cindy is also a 2012 Leadership Johnson County Graduate and a 2018 Brown County Leadership Graduate.

Cindy has served on numerous boards and continues to stay active in her community. You can always find her out and about with old and new friends. She and her family love the outdoors and she will tell you she is a closet baker and planting loving country girl who loves her family.

Chris Mills Headshot
Chris Mills
Commercial Relationship Manager

Being part of a local community and making a difference in his client’s lives is what brought Chris to First Financial from a larger East Coast bank. He joined in 2015 starting in the Commercial Credit department and worked his way to his current Commercial Banking role.

Chris works with his client to best utilize the bank’s programs and connects with current clients that have not had a stable relationship manager in the past.

Being a 2020 Leaders Circle Annual Winner and 2022 Q4 Leaders Circle Winner proves Chris goes above and beyond for both his clients and his coworkers. Active in his community, Chris volunteers with Indy Downtown Rotary, Hamilton County Feeding Team, and the Athletic and Alumni Board of UIndy.

Jake Sappenfield Headshot
Jake Sappenfield
Commercial Market President

Jake’s background is in Community Banking, which taught him to create relationships within the community with the purpose of adding value. This has led him to a successful 20-year career along with long term relationships.

Jake works with clients in a variety of industries including medical, manufacturing, construction, and service. The relationships he builds with his clients has significant impact, leading to their willingness to be COIs and referral sources.

Prior to management, Jake was awarded as the Top Commercial Banker for three years in a row. Since, he has proudly led multiple, successful teams of Commercial Bankers. Active in his community, Jake has been recognized for his work with the Good Cheer Fund, where he is the Chairman and led for the past 14 years. He is also active with the Franklin Community Schools Board, Aspire Johnson County, and the United Way.

Kevin A. Wilson Headshot
Kevin A. Wilson
Senior Relationship Manager

Spending the better part of his past 25 years in banking, Kevin works with his commercial clients to help meet their financial objectives. Kevin joined First Financial Bank because, while the bank offers a wide array of products and services clients need to fulfill those goals, the local decision making and the bank’s sincere focus on service levels, not only aligns with Kevin’s personal passions, but also sets First Financial Bank aside from its peers.

Aligning with the bank's proudly local pillar, Kevin volunteers for several non-profits in his community including, Alzheimer’s Association, ALS of Indiana, Civic Theatre, John Boner Center and has started his tenure on the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Kara Sweany Headshot
Kara Sweany
Private Banking Officer