Laura Arp, Homestead Bank | Wolbach, celebrated her fifth anniversary with the bank. She is a teller.

Justin Gapp, State Nebraska Bank & Trust | Wayne, was named Firefighter of the Year by the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department. He is an assistant vice president and IT officer at the bank.

Blanca Hernandez, Homestead Bank | Cozad, recently celebrated her 10th anniversary with the bank. She is the head teller. (pictured)

Photo: Blanca Hernandez

ACCESSbank | Omaha, recently raised $15,000 during the bank's 15th anniversary celebration and donated the funds to Habitat for Humanity of Omaha. (pictured)

First National Bank of Omaha | Omaha, donated $10,000 to Nebraska's FFA Launch! Program. The bank also plans to donate $24,000 to local FFA chapters across Nebraska, Illinois, South Dakota and Wyoming.

State Bank of Table Rock | Du Bois, hosted an Ag Day appreciation luncheon on March 21.

Western National Bank | Cook, recently donated $5,000 to the Cook Lions Club's "Welcome to Spring" fundraiser for the Cook Community Center. The $24,450 raised will help fund Community Center upkeep projects, including a new roof, siding and interior improvements. (pictured)

Recent Hires:

• John Hartman, Equitable Bank | Grand Island, senior vice president, ag lender

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Promotions:

• Shari Collison, Heartland Bank | Hastings, senior human resources generalist (pictured)
• Chandra Jaixen, Heartland Bank | Riverdale, senior loan operations associate (pictured)
• Kate Kapke, Heartland Bank | Fairbury, senior loan operations associate (pictured)
• Pat Mau, Heartland Bank | Geneva, senior operations officer (pictured)
• Aaryn Schweitzer, Heartland Bank | Shickley, assistant vice president (pictured)
• Jordan Smedra, Heartland Bank | Burwell, senior customer service associate (pictured)
• Colby Wurst, Heartland Bank | Burwell, vice president (pictured)

Photos, L to R: Shari Collison, Chandra Jaixen, Kate Kapke, Pat Mau, Aaryn Schweitzer, Jordan Smedra and Colby Wurst

Stephen Postier, Henderson State Bank | York, was a guest speaker at the Regional Career Day hosted by the York County Development Corporation last week. He is a senior vice president and branch manager. The event gave area high school students the opportunity to visit with business professionals across a wide variety of industries.

First National Bank of Omaha | Fremont, recently donated $5,000 to the Fremont Area Community Foundation as part of the Fremont Area Big Give. (pictured)

Generations Bank | Exeter, opened an in-school savings bank at Exeter-Milligan Elementary School on March 17.

Homestead Bank | Ainsworth and Chadron, hosted second-grade students from local elementary schools on March 17 for the final activity in the Saving with Mandy and Randy program at the Chadron and Ainsworth branches. This year marks the program's 10th anniversary. (pictured)

Above: Homestead Bank staff hosted second-grade students from Chadron and Ainsworth Public Schools to celebrate the students' completion of the "Saving with Mandy and Randy Program."

Recent Hires:

• Jason Herlitzke, Union Bank & Trust Co. | Lincoln, vice president - SBA administrator (pictured)
• Matt Raber, Heartland Bank | Daykin, branch president (pictured)
• Daniel Van Pelt, Pathway Bank | Grand Island, market president

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Promotions:

• Mike Gaston, Heartland Bank | Fairbury, branch president (pictured)

Aaron Brockmann, F&M Bank | West Point, recently celebrated his fifth anniversary with the bank. He is an assistant vice president. (pictured)

Ginny Harshbarger, NebraskaLand Bank | North Platte, celebrated her 20th anniversary with the bank this week. She serves as senior vice president - chief information security officer. (pictured)

Randy Korgan, MNB Bank | McCook, recently marked his 35th anniversary with the bank. He is a residential lending officer. (pictured)

Photos, L to R: Aaron Brockmann, Ginny Harshbarger and Randy Korgan

Bank of the Valley | David City, recently donated funds to the Butler County Historical Society for the preservation and framing of an American flag from 1868. This flag, which was unveiled during the "Towns of the County" program on March 13, is believed to be the first American flag flown over Butler County. (pictured)

First Community Bank | Fremont, celebrated the groundbreaking for a new branch on March 14. The ribbon cutting is planned for next year. (pictured)

Nebraska State Bank & Trust Co. | Broken Bow, received the Business of the Year award from the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber's annual banquet on March 11. (pictured)

United Republic Bank | Elkhorn, and the city of Gretna agreed to terms for the bank to secure title naming rights to Gretna Crossing Park. The new $55 million destination will be called "Gretna Crossing Park Sponsored by United Republic Bank."

York State Bank | York, recently helped host the Project GROW Gardening Workshop at the York County Fairgrounds. More than 40 gardeners attended to hear from expert horticulturalist Sarah Browning.

Photos, L to R: Grant Carter and Ryan Trausch

Robert Bock, Security Bank | Allen, recently retired after 40 years of service with the bank. An open house celebration was held on March 10.

Dave Bondegard, Cornerstone Bank | Clay Center, Davenport, Edgar and Glenvil, will retire on March 17 after a 46-year career in banking, with 18 of those years at Cornerstone Bank.

Don Semin (age 84) | David City, passed away on Feb. 26. He worked at Bank of the Valley in Bellwood for over 20 years. Don was also a member of the U.S. Army Reserves.

Brittany Webber, State Nebraska Bank & Trust | Wayne, and Lynne Werner, First National Bank of Omaha | Grand Island, recently completed Class XIV of Leadership Nebraska. The 30-member class was recognized during a commencement ceremony on Feb. 9 in Lincoln. (pictured)

Photos, L to R: Brittany Webber and Lynne Werner

Bruning Bank | Grand Island, recently opened a new branch at 3032 West Stolley Park Road in Grand Island.

First Northeast Bank of Nebraska | Hooper and Uehling, recently opened an in-school savings bank at Logan View Elementary School. 

Recent Hires:

• Chad Ruwe, Security National Bank | Omaha, vice president, commercial and industrial banking

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Promotions:

• Lance Morrow, BankFirst | Norfolk, president

Photos, L to R: Chad Ruwe and Lance Morrow

Deb Stamm, York State Bank | York, retired on Feb. 28 after 41 years of service with the bank.

Dennis Leeper, NebraskaLand Bank | North Platte, celebrated his 10th anniversary with the bank. He serves as a vice president and IT manager.

Becky Vahle, Cattle Bank & Trust | Seward, and her husband, Van, received the History Nebraska Heritage Hero Award at the bank's 150th celebration on Feb. 25. The Heritage Hero Award was created to recognize and thank local volunteers of history organizations around the state for their time and effort in helping to share Nebraska’s history.

Adams Bank & Trust | Sutherland, was named "Business of the Year" at the Sutherland Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet on Feb. 11.

Citizens Bank & Trust Co. | Loup City, recently donated $500 to the Loup City Library.

Henderson State Bank | Henderson, pledged $100,000 to the Henderson Health Care capital campaign for the upcoming surgery/hospital expansion and renovation project. The bank presented a check for the first installment of $80,000 on Jan. 25. (pictured)

Riverstone Bank | Scottsbluff, recently provided a $5,000 match donation as part of the bank's "Pack the Pack" fundraiser for the Cooperative Ministries weekend food backpack program. The 30-day effort raised a total of $25,000; an anonymous donor provided $10,000 to bring the grand total to $35,000.

Doug Kershner, Bank of the Valley | David City, retired on Feb. 28 after 17 years with the bank. An open house to celebrate his retirement was held on Feb. 24.

Steve Erwin (age 70) | Lincoln, passed away on Feb. 19. He worked in the banking industry for 40 years, including positions at First National Bank of Chadron (now Homestead Bank) and FirsTier Bank in Omaha, which eventually became part of U.S. Bank. Steve retired from banking in 2018.