“I have enjoyed my involvement serving the local banking community over the years,” Horton said in reviewing his career.

He began with Monticello-based State and Savings (branch in Monon) to Fort Wayne-based Lincoln National to Minneapolis-based Norwest. Norwest then sold the Monon branch to Peoples State Bank of Francesville which later merged with the State Bank of Oxford to become the present Alliance Bank.

“I was fortunate enough to survive and learn from every transition,” Horton noted. “The transitions reflect historical changes in banking nationally and locally. Through it all, it comes down to local banking, being there for the local community. Alliance Bank staff has made that happen. I feel fortunate to have been a small part”

The retiring board chairman said Alliance Bank’s vision has always been “Growing Together,” and this past year was one for the record books. The locally-owned community bank closed 2019 with record high deposits, loans, and net income.

He added that at the heart of this growth is a dedicated team of employees and clients that are making the choice to bank locally. This year has, no doubt, has presented challenges. The board of directors anticipates interest income to decrease, but mortgage volume will help offset those losses. They are especially proud of the Alliance Bank team for their part in securing $10 million in forgivable loans for local businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program.

Horton has lived in White County his entire life, but with retirement is now relocating to Carmel to be closer to family. He spent his career farming on his family’s land outside of Monon. He and wife Peggy have two living children (one deceased) and five grandchildren with one on the way. 

“Alliance Bank has been privileged with Buzz Horton’s leadership,” shared bank president Shane Pilarski. “Those who meet Buzz quickly recognize many strong attributes including intelligence, humor, diplomacy, empathy and a way of making anyone feel at ease and cared about. The strong support he provided to me and the entire Alliance Bank team will be missed.” She concluded, “We appreciate his years of dedicated service and wish him and Peggy many blessings.”

Alliance Bank proudly serves the agriculture, commercial and personal banking needs of clients in  Francesville, Monon, Monticello, Otterbein, Oxford, Rensselaer, Winamac and surrounding communities. Learn more at myalliancebank.com. Member FDIC.