June 24, 2024 • 9 mins
Joe Clime is the president and CEO of First Federal Bank of Ohio, which has been around since 1891. First Federal Bank of Ohio has 9 locations to serve customers in North Central Ohio. Clime, who is from Bucyrus and went to college at Ohio State, has been with First Federal for 17 years. Joe shares all the great work they do for their customers, and more about his family, on the podcast.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
The CEO you should know. Broughtto you by Roby Foster Miller Eric Insurance.
This week's CEO Joe Climb, Presidentand CEO of First Federal Bank of
Ohio. Joe, good morning,thanks for coming in, well, hello,
thank you, and I appreciate yougiving me the chance to come in.
Absolutely, I've heard that voice onthe radio. I know that.
(00:22):
All right, So let's begin.You know, whether somebody is new to
the area, maybe they just don'tknow. Let's get a little history of
the bank. I know you guyshave been around quite a while. Give
us a little history, you guys. Yeah, So, First Federal Bank
of Ohio has been locally owned andoperated since eighteen ninety one. We've had
the pleasure of serving our communities byoffering many products for both the deposit needs
(00:44):
as well as lending needs. Outsideof those offerings, we also contribute money
back into our local communities in variousways. How about that over one hundred
and thirty years. How about that, Hues, It's amazing, Yeah,
that is terrific. All right.So how many branches locations? I know
you have a lot across the northernpart of Ohio, right, Yes,
we primarily serve north central Ohio.We have nine locations throughout north central Ohio.
(01:07):
All right, so I wrote himdown. You got two in Mansfield,
West, Forest Street, Lections andAvenue. You have one in Shelby,
you have two and Gallion in themain office in Gallion, correct,
that is correct, and then Cartington, Mount Gilead, Sandusky and Tiffins.
That's a pretty nice reach, right, Yes, it is, yes,
Joe. Now, how long andI've heard your name, you know,
in the community for a long time. How long have you been with the
bank. It will be seventeen yearsin November this year, all right,
(01:30):
I bought that big anniversary coming up. Now, has it always been president
CEO or have you had other othertitles at the bank? I have had
other titles. I started in Novemberof two thousand and seven and I was
a manager in training, so Iactually went up to our Sandusky branch and
managed that till twenty twelve. Thenthey brought me back to the main office
and I did human resources until approximatelytwenty twenty when da've Beach retired, and
(01:53):
then I took the president's CEO positionthe beginning of twenty twenty, Okay,
beginning of twenty and twenty terrific.All right, So let's learn a little
more about the bank. How manystaff members in total do you guys have
And you mentioned nine branches, soI'm sure pretty good amount of employees.
Yes, we have approximately sixty employeesat all times. All right. And
(02:15):
the big question I ask, Iknow a lot of people. Are are
you hiring right now? Yes,we are. They can stop in any
one of our locations pick up anapplication. Okay, So if you want
to get more information, maybe youwant to contact one of the branches.
The best place to go would betheir website, and that is First Federal
Bank of Ohio dot bank. JoeClimb is with us in studio. He
(02:37):
is this week CEO. You shouldknow, he's the president and CEO of
First Federal Bank of Ohio. Wementioned nine locations in the area, and
we'll get back to the bank ina moment. But let's find out a
bit more about you. So let'sstep back to the very beginning. I'm
sure everybody wants to know where wasJoe climbborn. I was born in Bcyrus,
Ohio. All right, Crawford County. And next, where'd you go
(03:00):
to high school? I went tobe Cyrus High School, right, be
Cyrus High School? All right?So after you graduated high school, tell
us a bit about college. AfterI graduated high school, I went to
Ohio State University. I went tothe Marion branch for the first three years,
and then my senior year I transferreddown to the main campus in Columbus.
Terrific. Now, growing up,did you always know, hey,
(03:20):
I want to go into banking finances? You know, maybe you took accounting
classes in high school that kind ofthing. Did you always feel you were
kind of going to go into thisbusiness or were there other aspirations growing up
that you were thinking about. Idid not know I was always going to
go into banking. I did growup in a banking family. My dad
worked at a bank and my sisterworked at a bank. Growing up,
I was a big fan of basketballand played basketball. So I had originally
(03:42):
wanted to get into like sales andmarketing for a basketball team, hoped to
work for an MBA team. Butas I got through college and I enjoyed
the business classes, I ended up, you know, going the route of
banking. Yeah. It's kind offunny you mentioned you know your daddy,
you know, in banking, andyou maybe didn't think about it at the
time, but you think about now, Hey, you know banking. So
cool story there again. Hearing fromJoe Climb this morning, this week's CEO.
(04:03):
You should know. He's the presidentand CEO of First Federal Bank of
Ohio nine branches throughout the area.We mentioned couple in Mansfield, to in
Galion as well Shelby, Coddington,Mount Gilead, Sandusky and Tiffin. You
know, after college you mentioned thathave you always worked for First Federal?
Was there anywhere else before you cameto the bank. I have always worked
(04:26):
for First Federal Bank of Ohio.I graduated in August of two thousand and
seven. I was living in Columbus, and I moved back to be Cyrus
and I began working for First FederalNovember of two thousand and seven. So
I've worked there ever since I graduatedcollege. It sounds like you really enjoy
it, right, I do,Yes, I love it. I love
being able to help people. Youknow, when I was in lending,
helping people buy their their first homesor refinance to do other projects at their
(04:49):
house. I loved being able tohelp people. Maybe they're going to buy
a car or something, right,correct, Yes, we do car loans,
home equity loans, and I've alwaysenjoyed that side of banking. All
right, horrific getting to learn thestory about First Federal Bank of Ohio and
their president and CEO, Joe Clime, who is with us in studio today.
All right, so let's find outa bit more about you. We
(05:10):
found out from Crawford County b Cyrusand then of course to Ohio State for
college. But I don't know ifyou're married, kids, tell us a
bit more about Joe and the family. Yes, I am married. I
met my wife when I lived inColumbus. Actually she's from Columbus. We
love to go to see your pointwith the kids. I coach my kids
in baseball, basketball, football,They also play soccer and they do swimming,
(05:30):
which my wife coaches them in that. So you know, outside of
work, we're usually at a ballfield or on a court or swimming pool.
But just love spending time with ourfamily and if we're not active in
a sport, we do enjoy gettingup to the lake. All right,
turrif Now, how many kids doyou have? We have a ten,
eight and six year old? Okay, so busy then yeah, yeah,
we are all right. Sounds goodsummertime. You mentioned a lot happening them
(05:53):
probably okay. Well, before Ilet you go, I wanted to circle
back to the bank and a greatchant this morning learning about Joe Climb,
First ve Bank of Ohio, whois this week's CEO. You should know,
you know, I talk to peoplethat run local organizations. I always
like to find out, you know, what makes them special, what makes
them unique? Tell us a bitmore, you know what? Are you
(06:14):
proud about the great work you guysdo at First Federal. Sure, I'm
proud because I believe that what makesour company special is the fact that we
have been locally owned and operated.As I stated earlier, we have been
in business since eighteen ninety one,so we have pretty good history there.
I'm also proud that First Federal offersmany products both on the lending and deposit
side for customers. And I alsobelieve that what makes us special is the
(06:38):
First Federal Bank of Ohio takes pridein the customer service that we provide to
our customers. I'm glad you saidthat, because that was kind of things
I was going to mention when Italked to somebody who runs a local organization.
They always talk to me about customerservice, how important that is.
And you think about banking security,you have so many things like that and
you guys really really have to beproud of at the bank. Yes,
(07:00):
and personally I feel that, youknow, in today's world of financial institutions,
many of us offer the same products. And I really think what can
set you apart is how you treatthe customers and you know, get to
know them and when they come in, ask questions, have conversation. And
I do believe that makes us special. And in your industry, in your
field, you think about it.You know, things have changed with banking.
You know, used to be youknow, when I was a kid
(07:21):
and I'm in my you know,you know, early to bed forties.
Now you know, you go intothe bank deposit. Now you have the
mobile app on the phone, yougot the website, so you have a
lot of options with that technology foryour customers, right, Yes, Yes,
technology has certainly made it more convenientfor customers if they want to,
you know, get on the mobileapp or get on online banking. You
(07:42):
know, they can handle most allof their needs through doing those avenues.
Yeah, absolutely. You mentioned onething before we wrap it up this morning.
You get excited somebody's going to buya house and you're able to help
them with that loarner. Maybe they'regoing to buy their first new car or
just buy another car. They're excited, but you guys are able to help
them. You mentioned, you knowwhat home equity line of credit. All
things you guys are helping people yetwith Yeah, we do one to four
(08:05):
family, we do car loans,we do home equity lines of credit.
Have a product that can help mostpeople with whatever their needs are. All
right, terrific to learn the storythis morning about First Federal Bank of Ohio.
And they're president and CEO Joe Klimb, who is with us in studio.
He's this week's CEO. You shouldknow, all right, So last
thing, if somebody wants to getin contact with the bank, you have
(08:26):
nine branches, and of course wementioned you know, maybe they want to
get more information about one of theservices you offer. Maybe they want to
open an account. Maybe they're they'relooking for a job and they want to
you know, work at the bank. They want to know, you know,
how they get the process started.You were telling me the easiest place
is just to go to the website. Right, Yes, they can go
to the website, they can callany of our offices, or they can
(08:48):
visit one of our local offices.All right, and the website is First
Federal Bank of Ohio dot bank right, correct, correct, Okay, all
right. Well, Joe, it'sbeen great having you in this morning.
We appreciate the time and we wishyou continued success. Thanks for coming in
well, thank you, and thanksfor having me. Joe klemb President and
CEO a First Federal Bank of Ohio. The CEO you should know rit a
(09:13):
bio ce a photo and hear theextended interview at wm A n FM dot
com. This is John Roby ofRFME Insurance. It is said that a
good leader sets the bar high becausehe or she wants to reach goals and
make the best of their teams.We are proud to introduce you to some
of the community's leaders on the CEOseries
The CEO you should know. Broughtto you by Roby Foster Miller Eric Insurance.
This week's CEO Joe Climb, Presidentand CEO of First Federal Bank of
Ohio. Joe, good morning,thanks for coming in, well, hello,
thank you, and I appreciate yougiving me the chance to come in.
Absolutely, I've heard that voice onthe radio. I know that.
(00:22):
All right, So let's begin.You know, whether somebody is new to
the area, maybe they just don'tknow. Let's get a little history of
the bank. I know you guyshave been around quite a while. Give
us a little history, you guys. Yeah, So, First Federal Bank
of Ohio has been locally owned andoperated since eighteen ninety one. We've had
the pleasure of serving our communities byoffering many products for both the deposit needs
(00:44):
as well as lending needs. Outsideof those offerings, we also contribute money
back into our local communities in variousways. How about that over one hundred
and thirty years. How about that, Hues, It's amazing, Yeah,
that is terrific. All right.So how many branches locations? I know
you have a lot across the northernpart of Ohio, right, Yes,
we primarily serve north central Ohio.We have nine locations throughout north central Ohio.
(01:07):
All right, so I wrote himdown. You got two in Mansfield,
West, Forest Street, Lections andAvenue. You have one in Shelby,
you have two and Gallion in themain office in Gallion, correct,
that is correct, and then Cartington, Mount Gilead, Sandusky and Tiffins.
That's a pretty nice reach, right, Yes, it is, yes,
Joe. Now, how long andI've heard your name, you know,
in the community for a long time. How long have you been with the
bank. It will be seventeen yearsin November this year, all right,
(01:30):
I bought that big anniversary coming up. Now, has it always been president
CEO or have you had other othertitles at the bank? I have had
other titles. I started in Novemberof two thousand and seven and I was
a manager in training, so Iactually went up to our Sandusky branch and
managed that till twenty twelve. Thenthey brought me back to the main office
and I did human resources until approximatelytwenty twenty when da've Beach retired, and
(01:53):
then I took the president's CEO positionthe beginning of twenty twenty, Okay,
beginning of twenty and twenty terrific.All right, So let's learn a little
more about the bank. How manystaff members in total do you guys have
And you mentioned nine branches, soI'm sure pretty good amount of employees.
Yes, we have approximately sixty employeesat all times. All right. And
(02:15):
the big question I ask, Iknow a lot of people. Are are
you hiring right now? Yes,we are. They can stop in any
one of our locations pick up anapplication. Okay, So if you want
to get more information, maybe youwant to contact one of the branches.
The best place to go would betheir website, and that is First Federal
Bank of Ohio dot bank. JoeClimb is with us in studio. He
(02:37):
is this week CEO. You shouldknow, he's the president and CEO of
First Federal Bank of Ohio. Wementioned nine locations in the area, and
we'll get back to the bank ina moment. But let's find out a
bit more about you. So let'sstep back to the very beginning. I'm
sure everybody wants to know where wasJoe climbborn. I was born in Bcyrus,
Ohio. All right, Crawford County. And next, where'd you go
(03:00):
to high school? I went tobe Cyrus High School, right, be
Cyrus High School? All right?So after you graduated high school, tell
us a bit about college. AfterI graduated high school, I went to
Ohio State University. I went tothe Marion branch for the first three years,
and then my senior year I transferreddown to the main campus in Columbus.
Terrific. Now, growing up,did you always know, hey,
(03:20):
I want to go into banking finances? You know, maybe you took accounting
classes in high school that kind ofthing. Did you always feel you were
kind of going to go into thisbusiness or were there other aspirations growing up
that you were thinking about. Idid not know I was always going to
go into banking. I did growup in a banking family. My dad
worked at a bank and my sisterworked at a bank. Growing up,
I was a big fan of basketballand played basketball. So I had originally
(03:42):
wanted to get into like sales andmarketing for a basketball team, hoped to
work for an MBA team. Butas I got through college and I enjoyed
the business classes, I ended up, you know, going the route of
banking. Yeah. It's kind offunny you mentioned you know your daddy,
you know, in banking, andyou maybe didn't think about it at the
time, but you think about now, Hey, you know banking. So
cool story there again. Hearing fromJoe Climb this morning, this week's CEO.
(04:03):
You should know. He's the presidentand CEO of First Federal Bank of
Ohio nine branches throughout the area.We mentioned couple in Mansfield, to in
Galion as well Shelby, Coddington,Mount Gilead, Sandusky and Tiffin. You
know, after college you mentioned thathave you always worked for First Federal?
Was there anywhere else before you cameto the bank. I have always worked
(04:26):
for First Federal Bank of Ohio.I graduated in August of two thousand and
seven. I was living in Columbus, and I moved back to be Cyrus
and I began working for First FederalNovember of two thousand and seven. So
I've worked there ever since I graduatedcollege. It sounds like you really enjoy
it, right, I do,Yes, I love it. I love
being able to help people. Youknow, when I was in lending,
helping people buy their their first homesor refinance to do other projects at their
(04:49):
house. I loved being able tohelp people. Maybe they're going to buy
a car or something, right,correct, Yes, we do car loans,
home equity loans, and I've alwaysenjoyed that side of banking. All
right, horrific getting to learn thestory about First Federal Bank of Ohio and
their president and CEO, Joe Clime, who is with us in studio today.
All right, so let's find outa bit more about you. We
(05:10):
found out from Crawford County b Cyrusand then of course to Ohio State for
college. But I don't know ifyou're married, kids, tell us a
bit more about Joe and the family. Yes, I am married. I
met my wife when I lived inColumbus. Actually she's from Columbus. We
love to go to see your pointwith the kids. I coach my kids
in baseball, basketball, football,They also play soccer and they do swimming,
(05:30):
which my wife coaches them in that. So you know, outside of
work, we're usually at a ballfield or on a court or swimming pool.
But just love spending time with ourfamily and if we're not active in
a sport, we do enjoy gettingup to the lake. All right,
turrif Now, how many kids doyou have? We have a ten,
eight and six year old? Okay, so busy then yeah, yeah,
we are all right. Sounds goodsummertime. You mentioned a lot happening them
(05:53):
probably okay. Well, before Ilet you go, I wanted to circle
back to the bank and a greatchant this morning learning about Joe Climb,
First ve Bank of Ohio, whois this week's CEO. You should know,
you know, I talk to peoplethat run local organizations. I always
like to find out, you know, what makes them special, what makes
them unique? Tell us a bitmore, you know what? Are you
(06:14):
proud about the great work you guysdo at First Federal. Sure, I'm
proud because I believe that what makesour company special is the fact that we
have been locally owned and operated.As I stated earlier, we have been
in business since eighteen ninety one,so we have pretty good history there.
I'm also proud that First Federal offersmany products both on the lending and deposit
side for customers. And I alsobelieve that what makes us special is the
(06:38):
First Federal Bank of Ohio takes pridein the customer service that we provide to
our customers. I'm glad you saidthat, because that was kind of things
I was going to mention when Italked to somebody who runs a local organization.
They always talk to me about customerservice, how important that is.
And you think about banking security,you have so many things like that and
you guys really really have to beproud of at the bank. Yes,
(07:00):
and personally I feel that, youknow, in today's world of financial institutions,
many of us offer the same products. And I really think what can
set you apart is how you treatthe customers and you know, get to
know them and when they come in, ask questions, have conversation. And
I do believe that makes us special. And in your industry, in your
field, you think about it.You know, things have changed with banking.
You know, used to be youknow, when I was a kid
(07:21):
and I'm in my you know,you know, early to bed forties.
Now you know, you go intothe bank deposit. Now you have the
mobile app on the phone, yougot the website, so you have a
lot of options with that technology foryour customers, right, Yes, Yes,
technology has certainly made it more convenientfor customers if they want to,
you know, get on the mobileapp or get on online banking. You
(07:42):
know, they can handle most allof their needs through doing those avenues.
Yeah, absolutely. You mentioned onething before we wrap it up this morning.
You get excited somebody's going to buya house and you're able to help
them with that loarner. Maybe they'regoing to buy their first new car or
just buy another car. They're excited, but you guys are able to help
them. You mentioned, you knowwhat home equity line of credit. All
things you guys are helping people yetwith Yeah, we do one to four
(08:05):
family, we do car loans,we do home equity lines of credit.
Have a product that can help mostpeople with whatever their needs are. All
right, terrific to learn the storythis morning about First Federal Bank of Ohio.
And they're president and CEO Joe Klimb, who is with us in studio.
He's this week's CEO. You shouldknow, all right, So last
thing, if somebody wants to getin contact with the bank, you have
(08:26):
nine branches, and of course wementioned you know, maybe they want to
get more information about one of theservices you offer. Maybe they want to
open an account. Maybe they're they'relooking for a job and they want to
you know, work at the bank. They want to know, you know,
how they get the process started.You were telling me the easiest place
is just to go to the website. Right, Yes, they can go
to the website, they can callany of our offices, or they can
(08:48):
visit one of our local offices.All right, and the website is First
Federal Bank of Ohio dot bank right, correct, correct, Okay, all
right. Well, Joe, it'sbeen great having you in this morning.
We appreciate the time and we wishyou continued success. Thanks for coming in
well, thank you, and thanksfor having me. Joe klemb President and
CEO a First Federal Bank of Ohio. The CEO you should know rit a
(09:13):
bio ce a photo and hear theextended interview at wm A n FM dot
com. This is John Roby ofRFME Insurance. It is said that a
good leader sets the bar high becausehe or she wants to reach goals and
make the best of their teams.We are proud to introduce you to some
of the community's leaders on the CEOseries
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