Bank makes list of top 100

A local business was recently named among the top agriculture banks in the nation.

American Bankers Association recently placed First Bank of Berne on its Top 100 Farm Lender List.

First Bank of Berne came in 67th on the American Bankers Association’s list. It is based on farm loan volume.

“It is an honor to be recognized as one of the nation’s leading Ag lenders for the third year in a row,” said First Bank of Berne agribusiness banking manager Rick Gentis in a press release. “I am proud of our team and the knowledge, experience, and expertise they offer our customers. Their service and commitment are paramount to the continued growth and success of our area.”

The bank has been involved in agriculture lending since its opening in 1891 and also offers farm financial consulting and crop insurance.

The American Bankers Association is based in Washington, D.C., and serves as a trade association for community and regional banks, savings associations, mutual savings banks and trust companies.

LIFT meeting set

The next meeting of LIFT Jay (Leading Inspiring Females Together) is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 25.

The meeting will include the program “Building Alignment Through Your Mission” with Karen Lloyd.

The event will cost $18 for members and $23 for members, which includes a meal. Jay County Chamber of Commerce is also looking for vendors and sponsors for the event.

For more information, contact the chamber at [email protected] or (260) 726-4481.

Offering classes

John Jay Center for Learning is continuing to offer ServSafe classes.

Classes are scheduled for July 24 and Aug. 28. They are open to all food service employees and cover best practices for minimizing the risk of food-borne illness.

For more information, call (260) 729-5525.

Ardagh awarded

Ardagh Glass Packaging – North America’s facility in Houston earned ENERGY STAR plant certification last week.

The ENERGY STAR certification goes to plants that are within the top 25% of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency.

“Ardagh Glass Packaging is honored for our Houston facility to earn its first ENERGY STAR plant certification,” said Alex Winters, chief sustainability officer at Ardagh, in a press release. “Thanks to the dedicated Ardagh employees for their commitment to energy efficiency initiatives, making Ardagh an environmental leader in the packaging industry.”

Ardagh’s facilities in Dunkirk and Winchester are among the company’s 11 sites that have received ENERGY STAR ratings since 2010.

Buying again

Samvardhana Motherson International is buying a Japanese firm.

The business publication Deal Street Asia reported last week that Samvardhana Motherson International will buy a majority stake in Yachiyo Industry’s four-wheeler business from Honda.

Samvardhana Motherson International, which owns MSSL Wiring in Portland, will buy an 81% stake in the firm, Deal Street Asia reported. The deal is valued at $128.4 million.

Yachiyo makes automobile parts including sunroofs and fuel tanks.

“The close proximity to Honda Motor plants across the globe provides an opportunity to offer existing products of Motherson to Honda Motor globally,” Samvardhana Motherson International said in a press release.

The purchase will require approval from the Reserve Bank of India as well as officials in China, Brazil and the United States.

Lilly climbs to No. 1

The most valuable healthcare company in the world now resides in Indiana.

Bloomberg reported last week that, based on market value, Eli Lilly of Indianapolis has jumped ahead of UnitedHealth Group as the biggest healthcare company in the world.

The company has shown consistent gains over the last four months, adding more than $94 billion to its value this year. Meanwhile, UnitedHealth Group has seen its value fall 11% this year.

Lilly’s “success in obesity and to a lesser extent Alzheimer’s disease is driving this,” Evan Seigerman, an analyst at BMO Capital Markets, told Bloomberg. “They not only have the drugs, they also have the ability to successfully commercialize and launch them.”