October 1-7

10/8/2025

Bankers in the News

Brenna Bartels, South Central State Bank | Franklin, celebrated her 10th anniversary with the bank. She is a loan clerk.

Troy Brandt, First Interstate Bank | North Platte, celebrated 20 years with the bank. He is the market president.

Laura Burford, West Gate Bank | Omaha, received the 2025 Mortgage Professional of the Year award from the Nebraska Mortgage Association. She is a senior vice president, correspondent lending, at the bank and an alum of the NBA Leadership Class of 2016.

Karen Lempka, American National Bank | Tecumseh, celebrated her 45th anniversary with the bank. She is a branch manager.

Cindy McNeil, First Interstate Bank | Burwell, celebrated 20 years with the bank. She is a commercial banking representative II.

Jim Niemeier, Citizens State Bank | Friend, celebrated 25 years with the bank. He is a senior vice president.

Mary Nova, Bruning Bank | Kearney, celebrated 10 years with the bank. She is a business banker.

Linda Pelc, Midwest Bank | Norfolk, was inducted into the Northeast Community College (NECC) Alumni Hall of Success during the college’s achievement awards ceremony on Sept. 25. The award recognizes the professional accomplishments and community impact of NECC alumni. She is an assistant vice president at the bank.

Greg Soles, Homestead Bank | Ainsworth, celebrated his 45th anniversary with the bank. He is a senior vice president.

Colby Wurst, Heartland Bank | Burwell, celebrated 10 years with the bank. He is a vice president/relationship manager.

Laura Burford (center) was recognized as the Nebraska Mortgage Association's 2025 Mortgage Professional of the Year.

Linda Pelc (center) celebrated with Midwest Bank staff for her induction into the NECC Alumni Hall of Success.

Banks in the News

Bruning Bank and First State Bank | Holdrege, and First State Bank of Loomis | Loomis, and other local businesses helped sponsor the Holdrege FFA chapter’s 25th annual Farm Safety Camp last month. Over 165 kindergarten and first-grade students in Phelps County experienced simulations for farm equipment and grain bin safety, along with safe animal handling procedures.

Dayspring Bank | North Platte, won “Best Chili” for its pork green chili at the FNBO Chili Cook-Off last week. The event was a fundraiser for Mid Plains United Way.

Midwest Bank | Pierce, opened an in-school savings bank at Pierce Elementary School. The bank held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 1 to celebrate the first day of student deposits.

Northwest Bank | Omaha, celebrated the official groundbreaking of a new branch at 14607 California Street in Omaha. Once complete, this new branch will consolidate the three branches across Omaha and La Vista into one space.

Waypoint Bank | Cozad, has purchased the Sutton, Neb., branch of Astra Bank, headquartered in Scandia, Kan.

Midwest Bank held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of a new in-school savings bank at Pierce Elementary School.

Northwest Bank celebrated the official groundbreaking of a new branch at 14607 California Street in Omaha.

Northwest Bank officially broke ground on a new branch in Omaha.

Bankers on the Move

Recent Hires:

Charlie Boone, Lincoln Federal Savings Bank | Lincoln, chief lending officer
Isaiah Graham, Home Federal Bank | Grand Island, vice president of business banking
Merlyn Haight, Waypoint Bank | Sutton, branch manager
Jessi James, Cornhusker Bank | Lincoln, vice president, human resources manager
Taylor Ruwe, Homestead Bank | Howells, assistant loan officer
Jacques Smith, Northwest Bank | Omaha, commercial banker
Adam Svoboda, Homestead Bank | St. Paul/Wolbach, assistant loan officer