First Farmers and Merchants Corporation (OTC Pink: FFMH), the holding company for First Farmers and Merchants Bank, today announced that Ernest Anye, DIT, CISSP, has joined the bank as its Information Security Officer.

“We are pleased to announce that Ernest Anye joined our bank in the newly created role of Information Security Officer,” stated Brian K. Williams, First Farmers’ Chairman and CEO. “His extensive experience in information technology and cybersecurity will enhance our information security strategies in conjunction with our Information Technology team, bank regulators and other industry-relevant security standards. In this new role, he is responsible for planning, implementing and maintaining information security measures to safeguard the bank’s corporate and customer information. In addition, he is charged with strengthening our ability to manage the ever-evolving cyber security risks that are targeted at financial institutions.”

Dr. Anye holds a Doctorate in Information Technology (DIT) and is Certified in Information Systems Security (CISSP). His experience includes IT security controls, software development, IT compliance, risk assessment and telecommunications. He has a solid record of implementing robust strategies to drive enhanced process improvement, expertise in network and systems security, risk management, incident response, disaster recovery and vulnerability assessment. Prior to joining First Farmers, Dr. Anye led initiatives for information security, risk analysis, incident response and vulnerability assessment for University of Missouri Healthcare. He also serves as an Adjunct Instructor in Information Technology at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Dr. Anye is a graduate of Grambling State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. He received his Doctor of Information Technology and Master of Science in Information Technology from Walden University. He is a member of the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) and Information Audit and Control Association (ISACA).

About First Farmers and Merchants Corporation and First Farmers and Merchants Bank

First Farmers and Merchants Corporation is the holding company for First Farmers and Merchants Bank, a community bank serving the Middle Tennessee area through 22 offices in seven Middle Tennessee counties. As of June 30, 2023, First Farmers reported total assets of approximately $1.9 billion, total shareholders’ equity of approximately $108 million, and administered trust assets of $5.7 billion. For more information about First Farmers, visit us on the Web at www.myfirstfarmers.com under “Investor Relations.”

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