First American Bank is founded on a culture of service excellence, professionalism and honest communication.
Get To Know UsPlanning and preservation starts with our team
Planning and preservation requires assistance from a group of knowledgeable veterans who rely on proven strategies to manage trusts and implement estate plans geared toward your specific goals.
Dawn Griffin, JD, CPA, CTFA
Senior Vice President
Chief Fiduciary Officer
(847) 403-8109
[email protected]
Dawn is a highly accomplished estate planning and fiduciary professional with more than 25 years of experience advising individuals and families on sophisticated estate planning, trust administration, business succession, and wealth preservation matters. Before joining First American Bank in 2007, she practiced law with a focus on estate planning, business transactions, and trust administration. As Chief Fiduciary Officer, Dawn draws on her distinctive combination of legal, accounting, compliance and trust expertise to lead the Bank’s fiduciary practice and help clients navigate complex financial and family matters with sound judgment and care. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from Northern Illinois University and her Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law. Dawn is a licensed Illinois attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Trust and Financial Advisor and Certified Fiduciary Investment Risk Specialist. She has also served on the boards of the Fox Valley Estate Planning Council and the Illinois CPA Society’s Fox Valley Chapter.
Paula Willuweit, JD
Senior Trust Officer
(847) 403-8047
[email protected]
Paula joined First American Bank in 2025 as a Trust Officer, specializing in trust and estate administration, guardianships, and fiduciary services. She brings more than 10 years of trust and estate experience, including prior work as a practicing attorney handling complex estate matters, contested probate and guardianship litigation, and estate planning. Paula earned her Juris Doctor from Michigan State University, graduating magna cum laude, and also holds a Masters of Social Work in Organizational and Community Leadership. She is committed to helping protect family legacies and administering sensitive fiduciary matters with professionalism, care, and attention to each client’s unique circumstances.
Rachael E. Joseph, JD
Associate Trust Officer
(847) 403-8056
[email protected]
Rachael Joseph is part of our Fiduciary Services Team delivering trust and estate administration solutions to our clients. Rachael earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University and her Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of Law, graduating Cum Laude. Before joining First American Bank in 2024, Rachael worked at various law firms specializing in estate planning and probate. Rachael is adept at all facets of trust and estate administration and stands ready to assist families in navigating the complex issues that arise after the loss of a loved one.
Joshua W. Eggleston
Family Office Advisor
(847) 547-9042
[email protected]
Joshua began his career at First American Bank in 2016 as a Rotational Trainee. He was accepted into the Assistant Branch Manager Training Program before advancing to the role of Private Client Group Associate. Over the past three years, he has served as Senior Associate for the Client Advisory Group and recently assumed the position of Family Office Advisor. Before joining First American Bank, Joshua held a managerial position with a major retail company for six years. He holds a degree in Finance from Western Illinois University.
Janica Salcepuedes
Fiduciary Services Associate
(847) 586-2204
[email protected]
Janica joined First American Bank in 2025 as a Rotational Trainee and currently serves as a Fiduciary Services Associate. She began her career in the financial industry in 2022 as a personal banker for a regional bank, where she developed strong client service and financial management skills. Janica holds her Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago, graduating magna cum laude. She is dedicated to providing attentive client support and contributing to the success of the Fiduciary team.
Disclosures
Not FDIC Insured | Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value | Not Guaranteed by Any Government Agency | Not a Bank Deposit
Prior to 2020, you were required to start taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) by April 1 of the year following the year in which you attained age 70 ½. That rule still applies if you attained age 70½ by the end of 2019. Once you are required to begin taking RMDs, you must continue. For 2020, the SECURE Act increased the age to begin RMDs to age 72 and then subsequently with the passing of SECURE Act 2.0 beginning in 2023, the age has been raised again. The schedule below outlines at what age you must begin taking RMDs.
Date of birth before 7/1/1949, RMD starts at age 70 ½. Date of birth 7/1/1949 to 12/31/1950, RMD starts at age 72. Date of birth 1/1/1951 to 12/31/1959, RMD starts at age 73. After 12/31/1958, RMD starts at age 75.
The same April 1 deadline applies. Thereafter, you must take RMDs annually on or before December 31. Note, two required distributions will be issued your first year if you wait until the period January 1 to April 1 to begin your RMDs. You may avoid two taxable distributions in the first year by taking your first withdrawal on or before December 31 of the year in which you attain the applicable age as shown above.
However, if you are still working, you are not required to begin RMDs from your employer sponsored plan until April 1 of the year following the year in which you terminate employment. This exception does not apply if you own more than 5% of the employer, nor does it apply to IRAs.
