With brand new headquarters, two financial institutions have affirmed their commitment to growing their operations in the Hoosier state. Each chose their new location specifically because of the local community environment, amenities that would be available to employees/associates, and opportunities to expand their service offerings.
The financial industry is, in general, experiencing a period of unprecedented technological, workforce, and operational changes, so it is interesting that both banks chose Indiana. With a keen eye on the future, they both decided their best possible location for their continued success is right here in the hardest working state for business.
First Internet Bank’s New HQ – Fishers
First Internet Bank is more than halfway through construction of its new corporate headquarters in downtown Fishers. The new corporate office is a planned six-story, 168,000-square-foot building with ground-floor retail and is the first structure to commence construction in a mixed-use development along 116th Street in Fishers’ Nickel Plate District.
“As one of Fishers’ success stories, we are proud to be part of the city’s revitalization efforts in the historic Nickel Plate District,” said David Becker, president and CEO of First Internet Bank.
The development will incorporate the anticipated Nickel Plate Trail which, along with other amenities, aligns well with the banks bank’s corporate culture and strategy.
“Planning our future in the heart of a community where many of our employees live, along a trail that encourages wellness and community involvement, is a key component of our corporate culture and success,” said Nicole Lorch, chief operating officer of First Internet Bank.
Throughout its history the bank has received numerous awards for its workplace environment, including American Banker’s nationwide register of “Best Banks to Work For,” the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s “Best Places to Work in Indiana,” and the Indianapolis Star’s “Top Workplaces.”
Nick Simulia, First Internet Bank’s vice president of marketing, explained that many of the features of the building were designed with associates (employees) in mind. The fourth floor will have an open-air area that will be used for company gatherings, cookouts, breaks, and other activities. It’s designed to encourage associate collaboration.
“The aim is to foster innovation across our groups through providing inviting areas in which to work with others,” Simulia said. “We’re involving our associates in several areas of the final build out, forming teams for individual input regarding our break rooms, workout facilities, foliage around the building, and more. We’ve always prided ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit and that carries on to listening to the voice of our employees.”
Additionally, the building will have several ecologically advanced features aimed at reducing the company’s environmental footprint.
Unique features include things like a rainwater recycling system will collect water in a cistern that will provide water for the plants, HVAC systems that will be energy-recover units that recycle exhausted air, high-performance glazing window units that reflect and transfer solar heat, and a highly reflective roof covering. The building is also being established on what was previously a commercial site rather than on new, undeveloped land to reduce ecological impact.
Ground was broken on the new headquarters in June of last year. The building is scheduled to be ready for occupancy by Fall 2021. Overall, the Nickel Plate District Development is a $157 million project led by Browning Investments. The mixed-use development will feature residential, retail, a high-end boutique hotel, and will be anchored by First Internet Bank’s building.
Merchants Bank of Indiana’s New HQ – Carmel
In the last quarter of 2019, Merchants Bancorp and its subsidiaries Merchants Bank of Indiana and Merchants Capital celebrated the completion of the company’s new headquarters in Midtown Carmel, solidifying the company’s commitment to growing in Indiana.
The new 120,000-square-foot building houses nearly 200 employees with ample room for future expansion. The five-story building has a Merchants Bank branch on the street level, as well as 8,000 square feet of available retail space, and 24,000 square feet of leasable office space. Executive offices and mortgage operations are on the upper floors.
“Building a cohesive and collaborative team has been key to Merchants’ success, and the headquarters design reinvigorates our mission to further attract and retain new employees as we continue our growth in the Hoosier state,” said Mike Petrie, chairman and CEO of Merchants Bancorp.
Merchants Bancorp has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana four years in a row, and company officials sought to continue that trend during the project’s planning phases. The new headquarters has several noteworthy perks for employees, including gathering areas with large TVs, standing desks, full locker rooms with showers, access to the Monon Trail, and a close proximity to Midtown Carmel dining, shopping, and living.
“Our strategy of investing in the infrastructure of our Midtown redevelopment district continues to pay off with Merchants’ beautiful new building overlooking the Monon Greenway and our Midtown Plaza. We look forward to sharing in their growth and success for many years to come,” said Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard.
Additionally, prior to the opening of the new Carmel headquarters, Merchants Capital also celebrated the opening of a loan production office in Chicago, which is the company’s fourth office nationwide.
