Clinton banker completes prestigious American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School
July 18, 2022
Clinton, IL, July 18, 2022 – Josh Shofner, President of First National Bank and Trust Company recently graduated from the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking, the industry’s preeminent graduate school. Shofner was recognized on June 9 with a Stonier diploma and Wharton leadership certificate.
“Stonier has given me an opportunity to learn from the best minds in the financial services industry as well as the chance to exchange ideas with my peers from across the country,” said Shofner.
This year, Stonier was held in person for the first time since 2019 with 532 students attending seven days of classes in June, and representing banks of all sizes and geographies, various regulatory agencies and international organizations. Stonier’s intensive education program complements extension projects throughout the year. The three-year program focuses on preparing future industry leaders with curriculum covering a variety of topics including capital planning, enterprise risk management, marketing strategy and technology and innovation. Since Shofner earned a M.B.A., he was able to start at year two of the program.
Pictured Above: Josh Shofner with his wife, Charity and daughter, Cydney at the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking ceremony.
The program culminates with a capstone strategic project, where students develop comprehensive business projects for their financial institutions. Over the past 87 years, Stonier has trained over 20,000 of the nation’s top banking executives and government regulators, many of whom have reached the pinnacle of their organizations.
"The experience challenges, motivates, and prepares you all at once. It has been one of the best educational experiences in my career,” added Shofner. “The on-campus experience this year was awesome. The outstanding faculty of the ABA and Wharton College along with the fellow students made the educational experience like none I have ever had. I would encourage any banker who aspires to take their company to the next level to consider Stonier.”
Shofner joined First National Bank and Trust in 2000 upon completion of his B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Illinois. In 2002, he graduated from the Midwest School for Community Bankers with honors. He worked on the consumer and commercial side of lending while also serving as the Bank Secrecy Officer for 13 years with a significant involvement in operations and compliance.
In 2012, Josh received his M.B.A. from Illinois State University with a concentration in Finance while earning the programs top award during his final semester, the MBA Distinguished Leadership Award. In 2018, he was named President for First National Bank and Trust, which now has locations in Arcadia, Whitehall and Independence, Wisconsin. In addition to his bank service, Josh has served 18 years as a DeLand-Weldon School Board member, the Village of Weldon Treasurer since 2016, and as a member of the Clinton Rotary Club since 2000.
About First National Bank & Trust Company: First National Bank & Trust Company is a community bank located in Clinton, Illinois as well as Arcadia, Whitehall and Independence, Wisconsin. Dedicated to community prosperity, the First National Bank and Trust Company was chartered in 1872 under the name DeWitt County National Bank and became part of the TS Banking Group in 2017. With $400 million in assets, First National Bank and Trust Company is dedicated to community reinvestment and gives 10% of its net income back to the community. For more information, visit firstnbtc.com.