F&M Bank Welcomes Olivia Wightman as New Agriculture Lender

TIMBERVILLE, VA / September 9, 2024 / F&M Bank Corp. (the “Company” or “F&M”), (OTCQX:FMBM), the parent company of Farmers & Merchants Bank (“F&M Bank” or the “Bank”), welcomes a new agriculture lender.
F&M Bank is proud to announce Olivia Wightman as the newest member of our Agriculture lending team. Olivia interned with our Ag department in 2023, and from day one, it was clear she would be an exceptional addition to Team F&M. Her passion for agriculture and dedication to supporting local farmers align perfectly with our mission to serve the agricultural community.

Since officially joining F&M, Olivia has actively represented the bank at numerous community events and strengthened our agricultural relationships, highlighting F&M Bank's deep commitment to the agricultural sector and demonstrating the specialized services we provide to the farming community.

"My name is Olivia Wightman, and I am from Edinburg, Virginia. Agriculture has always been a passion of mine; this sparked during my time in high school when I joined FFA and served as an officer. This experience encouraged me to pursue a career in agriculture. At college, I majored in Agribusiness Management with a minor in Professional Sales. I was actively involved in campus life, joining Alpha Delta Pi and I was a sweetheart for Alpha Gamma Rho. Additionally, I was the president of the National Agri-Marketing Association during my senior year. This spring, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Virginia Tech. Last summer, I interned at F&M Bank, spending five weeks in the agriculture department and another five weeks in the credit department. I knew that becoming an Ag lender was something that interested me, so I decided to make a career out of it!"

Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Paul Eberly stated “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Olivia to our Ag team. Her dedication, background, and passion for the agricultural community are a perfect match for what we stand for here at F&M Bank. I’m confident she will make a significant impact on our clients and the local farming community as we continue to support and grow with the Shenandoah Valley’s agriculture industry.”

Our Commitment to Shenandoah Valley Agriculture

F&M Bank has proudly supported local farmers in the Shenandoah Valley since 1908. Agriculture is the backbone of the region, and our team understands the unique challenges and opportunities faced by farmers today. The Shenandoah Valley’s rich agricultural history, from livestock to crop production, plays a crucial role in the local economy. F&M Bank’s tailored lending products and deep community roots reflect our continued commitment to the farmers who make the Valley thrive.

Q&A with Olivia 

Why F&M? What made you want to join our team?
I interned in the summer of 2023, and I really enjoyed it. Agriculture has always been a passion of mine and to be able to help the agriculture community and to be a helpful resource is super important to me. Additionally, I knew that F&M was a fit because of the culture and how welcoming F&M was to me!
 
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute to your work ethic, and why?
I would say being optimistic and having a determined attitude contribute a lot to my work ethic.
 
The four core values that F&M holds dear are Gregarious, Resolute, Original, and Wholehearted. Which of these values resonates with you the most? Why?
I would say “wholehearted” resonates with me the most because I consider myself a person who goes the extra mile to make someone happy, and I care about relationships with others.
 
What’s an accomplishment that you’re really proud of?
Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Virginia Tech and making the dean’s list all eight semesters.
 
What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
Even when you do not believe in yourself, it is important to keep going. You might not think you’re good at something, but with practice and determination, you might surprise yourself.
 
To learn more about our ag products or about our ag team, contact agribusiness@fmbankva.com or Olivia directly!
 
 ABOUT F&M Bank
F&M Bank Corp. is an independent, locally owned, financial holding company offering a full range of financial services through our subsidiary, Farmers & Merchants Bank’s (F&M Bank) fourteen banking offices in Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Augusta counties, Virginia, and the cities of Winchester and Waynesboro, Virginia. The Company also owns F&M Mortgage, a mortgage lending subsidiary, and VSTitle, a title company subsidiary. Founded in 1908 as a community venture to serve the farmers and merchants of the Shenandoah Valley, where both the Company and the Bank are headquartered, F&M Bank remains more committed than ever to the success of the agricultural industry, small business ventures, and the nonprofit sector. F&M’s values, which are gregarious, resolute, original, and wholehearted (G.R.O.W.), combined with our brand pillars of sustenance, security, and enrichment, shape the Company’s decision-making, philanthropy, and volunteerism. The only publicly traded organization based in Rockingham County, we offer a diverse suite of financial products and services and a strong team dedicated to living our mission of being the financial partner of choice in the Shenandoah Valley, both today and tomorrow, as we have been since 1908. Additional information may be found by visiting our website, fmbankva.com.