Submitted
Centier Bank, Indiana’s largest private, family-owned and operated financial institution, has announced an historic transition in its executive leadership.
After 53 years of dedicated service and visionary leadership, Mike Schrage has stepped aside from his role as Chief Executive Officer. Chris Campbell, Mike’s son-in-law and current President of Centier Bank, has assumed Schrage’s responsibilities, marking the formal transition to the fifth generation of Schrage family leadership.
Five generations of independence
The transition marks the planned succession of the fifth generation of Schrage Family leadership, who are working in seamless lockstep with their board of directors and seasoned executive leadership team. This collaborative approach ensures that the bank’s independent spirit is protected by family heritage, robust corporate governance, and professional excellence. Together, they are dedicated to a long-standing community pledge, ensuring Centier remains a stable, community-focused anchor for generations to come.
“The fifth generation’s assumption of leadership is the strongest guarantee of our ‘Not For Sale’ promise, ensuring Centier remains a family-owned and operated bank,” Campbell said. “I have now had 20 years serving alongside Mike, along with other members of the fifth generation of the Schrage Family who are just as committed to staying independent, preserving the world class culture, staying local, and continuing to grow as an Indiana-based bank.”
A planned & confident future
This leadership change is the result of a deliberate, multi-year succession plan designed to maintain organizational stability. In preparation for this transition, Centier Bank’s executive leadership team has been realigned to provide the depth and expertise needed to support this succession plan.
Campbell, whose professional career includes 20 years of service in leadership roles at Centier, is married to Schrage’s daughter, Laura. Joining him are other members of fifth-generation leadership, including Stephanie Schrage, Board Member and daughter of Mike Schrage, and Anthony Contrucci, Board Member and President of First Bancshares Inc, and husband of Schrage’s daughter, Melissa. Together, the fifth generation has been working within the bank’s board of directors and various departments for years and bring a shared experience and vision for the company’s next chapter of growth.
“Centier is exceptionally well positioned, thanks to the strong culture and deep leadership bench Mike has built,” Centier Bank Chief People Officer Chrisanne Christ said. “Mike’s thoughtful decision to transition from day-to-day CEO responsibilities allows him to focus on guiding the next generation, while the bank maintains unwavering stability. Chris, Anthony, and Stephanie have worked alongside Mike for years and are fully prepared to lead seamlessly. Together with our executive leadership team, they will carry forward the momentum of our operations and our long-term vision, ensuring uninterrupted service for our customers and communities.”
Schrage’s future focus within Centier Bank will center around branch expansion across the state as well as Centier’s hospitality-centered banking, a cornerstone of the bank’s servant heart culture.
Under its “Be Our Guest” brand philosophy, the bank has long treated every client not as a number, but as an honored guest. This commitment to world-class service ensures that every interaction feels personal, warm, and distinctly different from the impersonal, transactional norms of modern banking.
“Our generation recognizes and embraces the profound honor and responsibility to build on what those before us have established,” Contrucci said. “We’re committed to a thoughtful transition that preserves Centier’s culture and to continuing the family’s five-generation tradition of trusted leadership and service. We aren’t just maintaining a legacy, we are building upon it with a renewed focus on innovation that never sacrifices the personal touch our guests deserve.”
While the bank celebrates this transition, it also celebrates Schrage’s hard-earned milestone. For Schrage, this is not a departure, but a deeper transition into servitude and stewardship.
“I’m stepping aside with full confidence that the values we’ve built over 53 years aren’t simply part of Centier’s history, they’re embedded in the DNA of leaders carrying us forward,” Schrage said. “I look forward to having more personal time to travel with my wife, Jill, and to devote even more energy to the community causes I care deeply about, continuing my lifelong commitment to helping others thrive.”
For more information on Centier products and services, visit centier.com.