New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, known across the country for his winning National Football League game attitude and results as well as his tireless efforts to enhance the quality of life for families and children, now has a new community partner – and they are already making news.
First Bank and Trust announced today that the bank and Payton, the Associated Press’ 2006 NFL “Coach of the Year,” have entered into an agreement under which Payton will team up with First Bank and Trust to help the bank’s marketing efforts to reach more customers in Louisiana, as well as in Mississippi where it operates as First Bank and Trust of Mississippi. In addition, the bank today donated $50,000 to the coach’s non-profit initiative called Payton’s Play It Forward Foundation to enhance the health, education and social welfare of families and children.
“It’s a pleasure to be associated with a winner,” said J. Michael Brown, president and CEO of First Bank and Trust. “Sean understands the remarkable success that a talented, motivated team can produce. Now that he and First Bank and Trust are working side by side, we look forward to being team players in support of our communities.”
As part of First Bank and Trust’s agreement with Payton, the coach will take part in outreach to underscore the bank’s customer service, its position as a growing and locally based community financial services company, and its corporate social responsibility. Among those activities will be appearances in bank advertising; introductions to customers, prospects and the public at Saints events; get-to-know-you meetings with bank clients; special events such as branch openings, sales calls and business meetings; and autographing of photos, posters and team-related give-away items.
“I’ve had rewarding banking experiences with First Bank and Trust employees and its leadership,” Payton said. “Now, thanks to the bank’s donation to my foundation, together we can make a real difference in the quality of life for those who live and work beside us.”
The announcement follows the recent opening of First Bank and Trust of Mississippi’s first branch in Madison, in the northern area of Jackson, and the Saints’ 2008 training camp at Millsaps College in Jackson.
Founded in 1991, First Bank and Trust is a New Orleans-based bank with $910 million in assets and branches in New Orleans, Metairie, Algiers, Kenner, Harahan, Covington, Harvey and Baton Rouge; a loan production office in Lafayette; home mortgage offices covering the Gulf South as FBT Mortgage; and branches of the affiliated People’s Bank headquartered in Amite, La., and First Bank and Trust of Mississippi headquartered in Biloxi. Also part of parent First Trust Corporation are FBT Investments, FBT Advisors and First Insurance Agency.
Contacts:
Jim Lestelle –President
Office: 504-552-2727 or Cell:
504-520-0808
E-mail: jim@lestellecommunications.com
or
First
Trust Corporation
Mr. Kelly Fogarty –
Vice President, Marketing Director
Office: 504-584-5972
