Horizon Bank, which has several branches in Michigan’s Great Southwest, has a new President…but he’s anything but new to the Horizon team having joined the bank nearly 20 years ago. James D. Neff earned the promotion last month and took over the reins on Monday, New Year’s Day.
Craig M. Dwight, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Bancorp made the announcement public today, following a December 19, 2017, meeting of the Boards of Directors of Horizon and its wholly owned subsidiary, at which they named Neff as President of both Horizon Bancorp and Horizon Bank. Additionally, Mr. Neff will serve on Horizon Bank’s board of directors going forward.
The promotion of Neff was effective January 1, 2018. Dwight says, “Mr. Neff has been an integral part of Horizon’s executive management team since 1999 and a major contributor to Horizon’s success.” He adds, “As President, Mr. Neff will oversee retail banking, community reinvestment, retail mortgage, warehouse and consumer lending. His expanded authority and responsibilities will ensure Horizon’s continued commitment to excellence and profitable growth.”
Neff is a seasoned banker and started his banking career in August of 1978 with First of America Bank in La Porte, Indiana. He joined Horizon in October 1999 as Senior Vice President of Mortgage Warehouse lending and was promoted to Executive Vice President 14 years ago in January 2004.
In 2016, Neff assumed additional responsibilities over consumer lending, and during his tenure with Horizon, his areas of responsibility have continued to grow, while maintaining proper internal controls and efficiency.
James Neff is actively engaged in the community and currently serves on the Purdue University Northwest Advisory Board, the Sinai Forum Board and he is a member of the Michigan City Rotary Club. In addition, he has been the past President and campaign chairman of the Greater La Porte County United Way and served at all levels of the United Way’s annual campaign. Neff is a graduate of the La Porte County Leadership program and past associate member of La Porte County Board of Realtors, La Porte County Home Builders Association and the Michigan City Community Development Corporation. Additionally, he has been a Salvation Army bell ringing volunteer for the past twenty-three years.
Neff graduated from Purdue University North Central with a degree in liberal arts and business administration, and he and his family reside in La Porte County, Indiana.
Horizon Bancorp is an independent, commercial bank holding company serving northern and central Indiana, southern and central Michigan and central Ohio through its commercial banking subsidiary Horizon Bank. They also offer mortgage-banking services throughout the Midwest. You can find them online at www.horizonbank.com. The bank holding company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol HBNC.
