First Bankers Trust Spotlight Ep. 4 | Making the Mortgage Process Less Intimidating with Brenda Seals & Sherry Schaffnit

First Bankers Trust Spotlight Ep. 4 | Making the Mortgage Process Less Intimidating with Brenda Seals & Sherry Schaffnit

In this episode of the First Bankers Trust Spotlight, we sit down with Brenda Seals and Sherry Schaffnit from the First Bankers Trust mortgage team for a helpful conversation about home buying, mortgages, and how to make the process feel less overwhelming. Brenda and Sherry break down what buyers should know before they start looking, when to talk to a lender, common mistakes that can slow down the process, and why working with a local mortgage team can make a difference. We also talk about today’s interest rate environment, affordability, first-time homebuyer advice, and the idea of “date the rate, marry the house” as one way buyers can think through the market. Whether you’re buying your first home, thinking about moving, or simply trying to understand the mortgage process better, this episode offers practical insight from two experienced lenders who help customers through these decisions every day. Learn more and subscribe at https://info.firstbankers.com/podcast [https://info.firstbankers.com/podcast] First Bankers Trust Spotlight features real conversations with the people shaping business, banking, leadership, and community. Real People. Real Conversations. Real Impact.

First Bankers Trust Spotlight Ep. 3 | Land, Hunting & Buck Land Funding with Shawn Ryan

In this episode of the First Bankers Trust Spotlight [https://info.firstbankers.com/podcast], we sit down with Shawn Ryan, Relationship Manager with Buck Land Funding [https://www.bucklandfunding.com], for a conversation about land financing, the outdoor lifestyle, and what buyers should know before purchasing hunting or recreational ground. Shawn shares his perspective on what Buck Land Funding does, who they serve, what he’s seeing in today’s land market, and some of the common mistakes people make when they start looking for land. We also have some fun along the way — including a few stories from the hunting and outdoor world, plus a chance to get to know Shawn beyond his role with Buck Land Funding. Whether you’re actively looking for land, dreaming about owning hunting ground someday, or just enjoy conversations about business, banking, and the outdoors, this episode is worth a listen. The First Bankers Trust Spotlight [https://info.firstbankers.com/podcast]features real conversations with the people shaping business, banking, leadership, and community. Real People. Real Conversations. Real Impact.

First Bankers Trust Spotlight Ep. 2 | Manufactured Housing, Financing & Industry Misconceptions with Michele Walgren

This episode was originally recorded as part of The Vault, now known as First Bankers Trust Spotlight. In Episode 2, we sit down with Michele Walgren of MHC Funding to talk about the manufactured housing community industry, the financing side behind it, and why this space continues to grow in relevance across today’s market. We discuss common misconceptions, what operators and investors should be paying attention to, how the lending environment has evolved, and why manufactured housing communities play an important role in affordable housing and long-term investment strategy. Whether you’re familiar with the industry or hearing about it for the first time, this conversation offers practical insight and real-world perspective from someone deeply involved in the space. https://info.firstbankers.com/podcast 🎙️ Real People. Real Conversations. Real Impact.

First Bankers Trust Spotlight Ep. 1 | Legacy, Leadership & Community with Jim Obert

Welcome to the first episode of The First Bankers Trust Spotlight (formerly The Vault)—a podcast from First Bankers Trust Company [https://www.firstbankers.com]featuring real conversations about money, business, and the people building strong communities across the Midwest. In this episode, we kick things off by introducing what The Vault is all about, why we created it, and what you can expect in future episodes. Then, we sit down with Jim Obert, who spent decades serving both First Bankers Trust and the local community. Jim shares his perspective on how banking has evolved, what hasn’t changed, and why relationships and trust still matter more than ever. Whether you're a business owner, professional, or simply interested in how strong communities are built, this conversation offers practical insight and real-world perspective you can take with you. ▶ Follow The First Bankers Trust Spotlight for more conversations with local leaders, industry experts, and the people behind the scenes driving success.