California's Strongest People You Can Bank On

For 112 years, Farmers & Merchants Bank has held fast to the core values of honesty, faith, service above self, and integrity, among others. It is this commitment that has served as the backbone of our organization through good times and bad, all the while assuring our customers that their assets will always be safe and secure.

Our long-standing tenure as a regional bank has provided the opportunity to serve a diverse group of individuals who share these values. They are visionary leaders who have shaped the very landscape of their communities and the lives of their neighbors. To honor their contributions, F&M established and is proud to present F&M’s “California’s Strongest People You Can Bank On” Awards.

These awards are designed to honor the virtues and characteristics F&M values in its customers. Each recipient embodies a personal virtue that exemplifies F&M’s own beliefs such as integrity, community, and goodwill toward others. They are people from different communities, industries, generations and backgrounds who are united by an unyielding commitment to caring, progress, and ‘doing Good.’

2018 California’s Strongest People You Can Bank On Honorees

Recipient Organization/Affiliation Community
Cherie Schenck Project Self-Sufficiency Huntington Beach
Dr. Christina Miller Mental Health America of Los Angeles East Long Beach
Dora Jacildo Comprehensive Child Development, Inc.
 Long Beach
Eric Forest Zahn Tidal Influence
 Long Beach
Jan Montague San Clemente Village San Clemente
Dr. Jerry R. Schubel Aquarium of the Pacific Long Beach
Jim Hogan Standing Stone Ministries, Inc. Rolling Hills Estates
Joe Baldo Higher Ground Youth and Family Services Fullerton
Dr. Kimberly BeDell California Children's Rehabilitation Foundation
 Memorial Hospital
Marty Burbank OC Elder Law Fullerton

2017 California’s Strongest People You Can Bank On Honorees

Award Recipient Organization/Affiliation Community
The Honesty Award Father Jose Magaña St. Anthony Catholic Church Long Beach
The Faith Award Sister Marguerite McCarthy Little Sisters of the Poor San Pedro Rolling Hills Estates
The Loyalty Award Cynthia Roe National Center on Adoption and Permanency
 San Juan Capistrano
The Integrity Award Adam Coughran Safe Kids Incorporated
 Lake Forest
The Dedication Award Dr. Inderpal Randhawa Translational Pulmonary & Immunology Research Center
 Long Beach
The Gratitude Award Sylvester "Duke" Givens Duke Enterprises Bixby Knolls
The Humility Award Dr. Standiford Helm II Helm Center for Clinical Trials Laguna Hills
The Dependability Award
 Lara Fisher South County Outreach Lake Forest
The Compassion Award Brenda Wells I-5 Freedom Network
 San Clemente
The Service Above Self Award Sasiston Punjienseang   Lakewood

2016 California’s Strongest People You Can Bank On Honorees

Award Recipient Organization/Affiliation Community
The Honesty Award Bill Nelson Fresh Beginnings Ministries Newport Beach
The Faith Award Ken Korver Emmanuel Reformed Church/The Compton Initiative Downey
The Loyalty Award Angeles Ceballos CREER Comunidad y Familia
 San Juan Capistrano
The Integrity Award Reggie Berry Goals For Life Foundation
 Lakewood
The Dedication Award Dr. Miriam Mackovic-Basic Complete Women Care Inc.
 Bixby Knolls
The Gratitude Award Patti Widdicombe McDonald's Garden Grove
The Humility Award Mike Sheldrake Polly's Gourmet Coffee Belmont Shore
The Dependability Award
 Joe Lins Century 21 Discovery Fullerton
The Compassion Award Dr. Patricia Drown San Clemente Domestic Violence Task Force
 San Clemente
The Service Above Self Award  Kathy Tillotson  Build Futures Downey

Learn more about our 2016 People You Can Bank On.

2015 California’s Strongest People You Can Bank On Honorees

Award Recipient Community
The Charity Award Dr. John L. Blake Long Beach
The Compassion Award Katherine Holman San Juan Capistrano
The Dedication Award Dr. Kenneth B. Deck Laguna Hills
The Duty Award Terry Geiling Long Beach
The Goodness Award Annette Kashiwabara Lakewood
The Gratitude Award Yetta Kane Long Beach
The Helpfulness Award Carol Wait Long Beach
The Kindness Award
 Coronada King Haywood Long Beach
The Selflessness Award Debora Wondercheck Newport Beach
The Service Above Self Award
 James and Carla Hogan San Clemente
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Learn more about our 2015 People You Can Bank On.

2014 California’s Strongest People You Can Bank On Honorees

Award Recipient Community
The Kindness Award Nate Jones East Long Beach
The Goodness Award Ellinor B. Ward Laguna Hills
The Charity Award Carmen & Miguel Escobedo Rolling Hills Estates
The Devotion Award Dr. Ralph Opacic Fullerton
The Gratitude Award Rick Rodriguez Sr. Downey
The Helpfulness Award Mark Gabay, Arman Gabay, & Norma Gabay Main Office - Long Beach
The Dedication Award Bill O’Connell Huntington Beach
The Compassion Award
 Dr. Elisa A. Nicholas Memorial Hospital
The Service Above Self Award Mamie Yong Maywhort San Juan Capistrano
The Selflessness Award
 Dominic Collaro Rossmoor

Learn more about our honorees from past events of People You Can Bank On.