March 19-25

Bankers in the News

Kelley Ayres, First Bank and Trust Co. | Minden, celebrated his 40th anniversary with the bank last month. Bank staff held a breakfast pizza party on March 13 to celebrate. He is the president and chairman of the bank.

Tony Kaufman, Platte Valley Bank | Scottsbluff, was named to the Western Community College Area Board of Governors, representing District 4. He is the community president at the bank and is the new NBA BankPAC Committee chair.
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Justin VonSpreckelsen, Cornerstone Bank | Clay Center, was a community mentor for students from Sutton during INVENTURE Day on March 18. The event aimed to teach youth about being an entrepreneur with the help of mentors from the community and nearby UNL Extension offices. His group of students was chosen as the “fan favorite” of the day.

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Banks in the News

Bruning Bank | Broken Bow, hosted a fraud education and prevention  “Lunch & Learn” on March 25 at the Veteran’s Memorial building.

Brunswick State Bank | Magnet, sponsored books for Niobrara Public School as part of a community member’s efforts to “get the Spanish/English copies of A Midwest Mix into as many schools as possible” to promote reading and Nebraska history. The book is about Korean War veteran Jim Wagner from Winnetoon, as well as the twin tornadoes that hit Pilger and Wakefield a decade ago.

Farmers & Merchants Bank | Milford, sponsored the meal during the ESU 6 Community Agency Night for parents/guardians of students with disabilities on March 20.

FNBO and RVR Bank | Fremont, and other local businesses helped sponsor the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Excellence in Agriculture Awards Luncheon on March 19 in Fremont.

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Deaths

Deb Olson (age 71) | Minden, passed away on March 18. She worked at First Bank and Trust Co. in Minden for 36 years prior to her retirement. She was a vice president/ head teller.

Shari Pate (age 68) | Omaha, passed away on March 22. She had previously worked at First Westroads Bank and United Republic Bank, both in Omaha, until her retirement from the latter in 2018. She was the wife of NBA Past Chair Mike Pate.