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As the Indiana Bankers Association enters the new millennium, it enters a new phase in its history. Fittingly the elected IBA chairman for 1999-2000 understands the legacy of history and the importance of change. William E. "Mac" McWhirter, chairman and chief executive officer of Peoples Bank & Trust Company, Indianapolis, takes on the role of IBA chairman as a fourth-generation banker and the second McWhirter to serve the IBA in its highest volunteer leadership position.
When elected chairman at the IBA Annual MEGA Conference in June, McWhirter said, "I take pride in our industry, and this assignment is both very exciting as I look to the future, and humbling as I look to the past. The year 2000 will bring change and advancement for banking and the IBA."
Change indeed! Recently Peoples Bank entered a new phase of its history. In July Fifth Third Bancorp, Cincinnati, announced an agreement to acquire Peoples Bank Corp. and Peoples Bank & Trust Company. Prophetically, this merger mirrors a new phase in IBA history; the IBA and the Indiana League of Savings Institutions have reached an agreement to pursue the final phases of a merger between the two trade associations by the end of the year.
McWhirter has been immersed in the banking industry his entire life. His great grandfather, Felix T. McWhirter, began banking operations in 1891. When he died 15 years later, Felix T's son, Felix Marcus ("EM.'), became president. EM. was only 29 when he was named president and maintained ownership control of the bank until 1983. EM. also served as IBA president in 1933-34.1 EM.'s son, Felix Tony ("ET."), grandson of the founder and Mac McWhirter's father, was named president of the bank in 1959.2 Finally Mac McWhirter, the founder's great grandson, took the helm as Peoples' president in 1984.
McWhirter is proud of his heritage and of his own family. Married for 22 years, McWhirter and his wife Susan have three children. Eldest child Elizabeth, 18, will be a freshman at Tulane University, New Orleans, in the fall. Daughter Julia will be entering her freshman year at North Central High School in Indianapolis. Son Mark, age 10, will be entering the fourth grade in August.
Asked if any of the McWhirter children seem...