CARMEL, Ind. – Merchants Bank of Indiana (NASDAQ:MBIN) (“Merchants Bank”), today announces the signing of Indiana University (IU) Hoosiers basketball player and All-Big Ten Second Team Ali Patberg as the company’s newest brand ambassador.
Patberg became IU’s 28th member of the 1,000 points club in the 2020-21 women’s basketball season, ranking 15th of all time with 1,368 points and ranking third of all time in assists with 416. Over the course of her basketball career with the Hoosiers, Patberg has received numerous high-ranking honors, including the Nancy Lieberman Award Top 10 Watchlist (2021), Academic All-Big Ten (2020-21, 2018-19), Big Ten Player of the Week (week of March 2, 2020) and more.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to work alongside Merchants Bank of Indiana as their latest brand ambassador,” Patberg said. “I look forward to representing their brand both on and off the court and learning more about managing my own finances through the Bank’s personal banking services.”
Throughout her brand ambassadorship, Patberg will make personal appearances and participate in other advertising opportunities to promote Merchants Bank’s various lines of business, including traditional community banking, retail and correspondent residential mortgage banking, mortgage warehouse financing, SBA lending, agricultural lending, and multifamily housing finance.
“Ali was a clear choice for brand ambassador at Merchants Bank given her strong moral values, dedication to the sport and respect for her community,” said Merchants Bank Chairman Michael F. Petrie. “Our partnership together will propel Ali and Merchants Bank forward, as we support each other throughout this coming year.”
Currently pursuing a master’s degree in recreational administration, Patberg graduated from IU in 2020 with a bachelor’s in finance from IU’s Kelley School of Business. An alumna of Columbus North High School, Patberg previously played for USA Basketball, earning a gold medal with the Under-19 National Team at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Championships in 2019. Patberg was also named Indiana Miss Basketball during her high school career.
This news comes on the heels of Merchants Bank’s first brand ambassador contract with Trayce Jackson-Davis, an All-American college basketball player and fellow IU Hoosiers basketball player. Patberg joins Jackson-Davis as part of the first class of collegiate athletes to sign an endorsement deal under the new NCAA policy allowing student-athletes the ability to benefit from their name, image and likeness. The contract amount was not disclosed.
To learn more about Merchants Bank of Indiana, visit www.merchantsbankofindiana.com or find Merchants Bank on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
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