Merchants Bank of Indiana announced Wednesday it has signed Indiana University (IU) basketball player Race Thompson as its newest brand ambassador, in addition to re-signing its contract with fellow IU basketball player Trayce Jackson-Davis. The contract amounts for both players were not disclosed.
Signing an endorsement deal under the NCAA policy allowing student-athletes the ability to benefit from their name, image and likeness (NIL), Jackson-Davis and Thompson will make personal appearances and participate in other advertising opportunities to promote Merchants Bank’s various lines of business. These include residential mortgage banking, business banking (including small business lending), multifamily housing finance, healthcare facility financing and servicing, agricultural lending, mortgage warehouse financing, and traditional community banking.
“Trayce has been a tremendous asset to the Merchants family this past year, so it was an easy choice to re-sign him as our brand ambassador for another year,” said Merchants Bank Chairman and IU alumnus Michael F. Petrie. “We’re honored that his teammate, Race, will also be joining us as his influence, talent and character both on and off the court make him a perfect choice for our newest partnership. Go Hoosiers!”
Thompson started all 35 games during the 2021-22 season and ranked third in scoring (11.1 points) and second in rebounding (7.5) and field goal percentage (53.6 percent) for his team. During the season he received an Honorable Mention for the All-Big Ten and received the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. He serves as IU basketball’s team captain, alongside Jackson-Davis. Thompson is also tenth in the Big Ten for rebounding (7.5). Thompson graduated from Armstrong High School in Minnesota prior to the start of his senior year so he could enroll at IU. He was rated as the No. 71 player in the country for the class of 2018.
“Working with Merchants Bank as my exclusive financial services company is an exciting next step for me,” Thompson said. “The bank’s close ties to the state of Indiana and its desire for bettering our community align with my own goals, so I’m thankful to Merchants Bank for allowing me to serve as their ambassador. I’m looking forward to learning more about how we can grow together.”
Jackson-Davis, Second Team All-Big Ten, started all 35 games during the 2021-22 season, and he led the team in scoring (18.3 points), rebounding (8.1) and field goal percentage (58.9 percent). His previous career included playing for Center Grove High School in Greenwood, where in 2019 he was ranked as one of the country’s top high school prospects, was named a McDonald’s All-American and drew interest from many high-profile colleges before committing to play for the Hoosiers.
To learn more about Merchants Bank of Indiana, visit merchantsbankofindiana.com or find Merchants Bank on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.