Testimonial – John Desjardins
As First Federal Savings celebrates its 90th year serving the Bath community, John Desjardins’ story is a powerful reminder of what has sustained the bank for nearly a century.
As the longtime owner of Wilson’s Drug Store on Front Street in Bath, John Desjardins has always understood what it means to be a hands-on business owner in a close-knit downtown community. Just like First Federal Savings, his store faced the realities of Maine winters year after year. When the snow fell, John never hesitated — he grabbed a shovel and cleared the sidewalks himself to make sure customers could safely make their way inside.
One winter day, while tending to the sidewalk outside Wilson’s, John noticed something across the street that left a lasting impression. The CEO of First Federal Savings, Andrew Perry, and the Senior Vice President overseeing the loan department, David Platteter, were outside shoveling snow themselves. It wasn’t a one-time gesture — it was something they consistently did.
To John, that said everything.
Here were the leaders of a respected community bank choosing to roll up their sleeves rather than delegate the work. They were visible. They were present. They were making sure their employees inside could stay focused on serving customers. That kind of leadership — humble, hands-on, and community-minded — resonated deeply with him.
When John was approached in 2006 about joining the Board of Directors for First Federal Savings, those moments played a significant role in his decision. He had seen firsthand the character of the bank’s leadership. He knew this was an institution grounded in service, not titles.
Shortly after joining the Board, John experienced another powerful moment. While in the bank’s boardroom, he noticed a framed copy of the original subscription to shares document from the bank’s formation. As he scanned the names, he was stunned to find his grandfather listed among the original subscribers.
The discovery meant more than he could put into words. His grandfather had been a hardworking, humble man — not someone John would have imagined as part of a bank’s founding group. But as he reflected on it, it made perfect sense. His grandfather was exactly the kind of person who would believe in — and want to support — an institution like First Federal Savings: local, principled, and built for the community.
For John, it felt like history had quietly connected his family to the bank long before he ever stepped into the boardroom.
Now, as he celebrates 20 years of service on the Board of Directors, John sees that same spirit still alive at First Federal Savings after 90 years of business — leadership that leads by example, a culture rooted in humility, and a commitment to community that spans generations.
In his eyes, First Federal isn’t just a bank on Front Street. It’s a reflection of the very values that built Bath — hard work, integrity, and neighbors looking out for one another.
