First American Bank
Thomas E. Wells IV
“Your financial well-being is our top priority!”
Chairman of the Board & CEO
Adelbert Spaan
Executive Vice President
Cynthia Barker
First Vice President
Industry: Financial Services
Phone: (847) 952-3700
Address: Multiple locations
Website: https://www.firstambank.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstAmBank
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstambank/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-american-bank/
About the Spotlight Member
First American Bank, founded in Chicago over 50 years ago and chartered in Illinois, has expanded into Wisconsin and Florida. It remains a family-owned institution and is the largest privately held bank in Illinois.
First American Bank is a full-service financial institution with a strong international presence in Miami, Florida, serving as a gateway to Latin America. Despite its global reach, the bank remains a community bank at heart, built on service excellence, professionalism, and honest communication.
First American Bank takes its commitment to community seriously, believing it cannot be successful unless its customers and neighbors are successful as well.
Chairman of the Board and CEO Thomas E. Wells, IV, has a deep passion for the banking industry and for First American Bank. He believes that by serving clients and shareholders well, the company will thrive. He places strong value on employees, emphasizing integrity and character as the foundation of a successful organization.
A powerful example of this philosophy is Cynthia Barker, First Vice President at First American Bank. When she applied to First American Bank, Cynthia was serving as a Branch Manager at BMO. After 17 years at BMO, she joined FAB 7 years ago, bringing with her more than 35 years of experience in the banking industry.
During the interview process, Adelbert Spaan personally interviewed Cynthia and recognized both her leadership experience and her deep passion for working with small business owners. At that time, the Client Relationship Officer position did not exist at First American Bank. It was created specifically by Adelbert Spaan to align with Cynthia’s strengths and community-focused approach to banking. Cynthia is at First American Bank today because of Adelbert Spaan’s vision, leadership, and belief in her ability to make an impact.
Cynthia often shares that there has not been a single day she hasn’t enjoyed working at First American Bank. She truly “lights up” when speaking about community and helping business owners, large and small, succeed. Rather than always having business owners come to the bank, her team regularly meets clients at their places of business, enhancing relationships and deepening the bank’s connection to the community.
Cynthia describes First American Bank as a needs-based, solutions-driven bank, not a product-pushing institution. CEO Thomas Wells reinforces this philosophy by ensuring customers always speak with a live person when calling the bank; in fact, First American Bank does not even use an 800 number. You will always talk with a live person when you call this bank!
Cynthia and Eugene Varnado (founder of SSSBA) have been friends for a long time. Their shared passion for supporting small businesses became the catalyst for how BMO & First American Bank became sponsors of SSSBA.
Thank you to Chairman & CEO Thomas E. Wells, IV, Adelbert Spaan, and Cynthia Barker!
The South Suburban Small Business Association sincerely appreciates your leadership, partnership, and dedication to the communities you serve.