In your own words, describe your role at the bank:
I am the Customer Service Training Manager at Union Bank & Trust Co. I have the privilege of leading an amazing team that is passionate about educating our frontline staff on how to serve our customers and deliver amazing service while helping our customers achieve their financial dreams.

How did you get into banking?
I was a young father looking for work after being laid off from my previous job. I applied for a teller opening with Union Bank & Trust at a branch just a few blocks from my childhood home. From there, I was blessed with opportunities and became a personal banker, assistant branch manager and then branch manager in the retail banking world. My passion for learning expanded beyond just learning new job roles, and I weighed a career in education. I took an opportunity to join the training department where I could exercise my passion and stay with UBT. After the previous manager was promoted, I was given the opportunity to lead the training team as manager in 2019.

Why is banking a great career?
Banking is a far more diverse industry than it might appear to be from the outside. As customers, we think of bankers as tellers and lenders, but there is so much more than that. There are tremendous opportunities in roles ranging from information technology to marketing, and as a learning professional who originated in the retail banking space, I am a perfect example of this. Bankers build a range of skills that are applicable across almost any industry and knowledge that supports a thriving everyday life. The "banker's hours" don't hurt either!

What is your favorite book, podcast or quote?
At this moment, "Atomic Habits" by James Clear is my favorite book.

In your own words, describe your role at the bank.
I have over 25 years of banking experience and am the Branch Manager at Arbor Bank. As a Branch Manager I am driven to motivate and inspire my team to be “The Jack of All Trades” as we are the first point of contact for communication, while being responsible for leading, developing & managing a team. I also coordinate and facilitate workshops for financial literacy.
 
How did you get into banking?
As a child I always had the desire to lead a team. At 16 years old I worked as a cashier, and I developed cash handling experience and customer service skills. As my eagerness grew at 18, I was looking for a career field and discovered banking while meeting with a recruiting agency. I begin my banking career working as a teller, lead, vault teller, call center, personal banker, loan officer and then advanced into management. My purpose and passion grew, as I parlayed these skills working at various financial institutions such as credit unions, banks, and community banking.
 
Why is banking a great career? 
Working in the banking industry was important to me as I begin my own financial journey. Learning how to manage, budget and make financial decisions that were not taught to me growing up. I found joy in helping everyone of all ages and walks of life. Building relationships are very important it allows bankers to be trusted and valuable advisors. There are so many career opportunities in banking for individuals with or without a degree, however I graduated from Kapalin University to enhance my education and further my career in banking.

Is there anything you'd like to add about your background or what Black History Month means to you?
As a minority I did not see individuals like myself in banking; however, I wanted to be an inspiration for those in the community and educate others in the field of banking that may not have had the exposure.
 
What is your favorite book, podcast or quote?
"Be patient when it seems like things are not going right and may never be right again. Accept that what is yours will come to you in the right way at just the right moment." - Iyanla Vanzant
 
This quote speaks to me as my father instilled in me at an early age to never give up and hard work and dedication pays off for itself.

In your own words, describe your role at the bank:
As a Compliance Specialist, I have many roles in this position. I monitor Large Cash Receipts for both Washington County Bank and Houghton State Bank which is cash transactions that $1,500 or more made at the banks on a daily basis. I check for Structuring and to see if any Currency Transaction Receipts need to be filed for transactions totaling more than $10,000 in a day. Once a week, I send Beneficial Owner updates to banks that we monitor from a report we received from FNBO to let them know about documentation that is missing and needs to be sent in to remove the alerted account from the report. Once every few weeks, I go to the Bank Secrecy Act website to download a list of people/entities that they have found activity on then I look through our system to make sure none of the people/entities match anyone that we have in our systems. Once a month, I create a report for banks that we monitor for International Wires that were sent out of the country to foreign countries to make there is nothing suspicious about the transactions going out. Once a month, I also monitor the Customer Information Program for people/entities who open a new account with the bank. Per the Patriot Act, any person who opens up a new account with a bank/financial institution must provide them with a valid government issued photo ID, a valid proof of address and their name is entered into the OFAC watchlist to make sure they're not on the list. For Business Entities, they must provide the necessary documentation for their business in order to be allowed to open a bank account. Any CTRs that were filed by the bank are sent to Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and once they are acknowledged, I add those documents to our records.

How did you get into banking?
I got a position with FNBO back in 2016 in Flood Compliance. After a few years of doing that, I got a promotion as a Business Associate I at FNBO headquarters. I wanted to get back into Compliance as it where I was able to accomplish the most in my professional career so when an opportunity as a Compliance Specialist came up with WCB I applied for it and got the position. I have been in this position with WCB for almost 4 years now.

Why is banking a great career?
For me, banking is a great career because I get the opportunity to help out people. Compliance gives me the opportunity to monitor transactions to help make sure that people who bank with us aren't being taken advantage of by those who want to do so.

Share your favorite book, podcast or quote. Why is it your favorite?
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time." - Barack Obama

I've been in Compliance for the better part of 13 years total. Compliance is very important for any financial institution as it is a means of regulating and monitoring day to day banking.

In your own words, describe your role at the bank:
I am a commercial real estate lender and also lead a team of five other lenders at our Ralston branch.

How did you get into banking?
I started my banking career through an internship program as a senior in high school. I fell in love with banking right out of the gate and have been doing it now for over 20 years.

Why is banking a great career?
I've always enjoyed helping customers with their financial goals. It's a great feeling gaining a customer's trust to manage their money.

Is there anything you'd like to add about your family heritage or what Hispanic Heritage Month means to you?
Family values are an important part of the Hispanic heritage. I always try to make a personal connection with all my customers. This creates a strong friendship which helps maintain a good banking relationship for years.

In your own words, describe your role at the bank:
I open new accounts for checking, savings, IRA and business accounts. I help customers with account deposits/withdrawals, loan clerk duties, internet banking, credit applications and translating for Spanish-speaking customers.

How did you get into banking?
I always loved math in high school. My sister had heard about a job opening for a teller. Here I am, nine years later.

Why is banking a great career?
Banking is a great career because you have so many options. From teller, to bookkeeping, to loan clerk or loan officer. There are so many paths one can take in the banking world. It’s always evolving and there are new procedures/policies to learn all the time.

What is your favorite book, podcast or quote?
Roy T. Bennett – If you want to be happy, do not dwell in the past, do not worry about the future, focus on living fully in the present. I can’t change the past or control the future, but I live every day fully with my family and friends.

In your own words, describe your role at the bank:
My role at Platte Valley Bank is anything and everything to do with bank card services. I specialize in debit cards, credit cards, & merchant services.

How did you get into banking?
My mother and older brother were with Platte Valley Bank for many years before I came on. They played a large role in my interest in banking. It just so happened that in 2018 a teller position in Gering became available and I've been with Platte Valley Companies every since.

Why is banking a great career?
Banking is a great career because there is always room to grow. I learn something new every single day and am constantly challenged in really great ways.

What is your favorite book, podcast or quote?
"Focus on the step in front of you, and not the whole staircase. -Unknown"
This is my favorite quote because it is a reminder that no matter how big or how small the step is, growth is still growth.

Is there anything you'd like to add about your family heritage or what Hispanic Heritage Month means to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month means a lot to me because it is who I am. I am extremely proud to be a part of the Hispanic Culture and am so grateful to work for a company who supports our diverse community.

In your own words, describe your role at the bank:
As a loan administrator, I assist in gathering financial information. Working together with Bruning lenders to initiate and finalize the loan process on behalf of the customer. I ensure that the loan documents are prepared accurately, that they are in accordance with compliance, and produced in a timely manner.
 
How did you get into banking? 
I am originally from Southern California, and I was invited to a job fair by a close friend. I saw an opportunity to enter the banking world and out of curiosity, I applied. I started as a teller and then saw the endless opportunities for professional growth. That was the start of my banking career!
 
Why is banking a great career? 
I love working with people. I found that the best way you can help is by teaching them how to build wealth and by looking after their financial interests. Letting them secure their future, these relationships last a lifetime.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
What does my heritage mean to me? It is the identity of my people, it's my identity. It’s a legacy handed down to us. A legacy of hard work and great accomplishments, it is the passion of hard labor and great work ethics that make us prosperous wherever we go. 

What is your favorite book, podcast or quote?
“It takes a team of good people to get you to your destination in life. You cannot paddle the boat alone. Find someone to share your life with. Make as many friends as possible, and never forget that your success depends on others.”
​Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven

In your own words, describe what your role is at the bank:
My job title is a commercial lender, but my role is to help businesses grow and be successful by providing a variety of loan products, services and financial expertise. Sometimes it may not be a good fit for various reasons, but I will always try to help businesses get the help they need for long-term success.

How did you get into banking?
As a sophomore in college, I was unsure what I wanted to do with my life, but knew I wanted to do something related to finance and helping people, so I applied as a teller at West Gate Bank on South St. in Lincoln in 2011. When I graduated from UNL in 2013, I was hired as a credit analyst and became a commercial lender in the summer of 2016.

What does effective leadership look like to you?
An effective leader is someone who uses clear communication to convey expectations and actively adjust based on feedback. They also need to motivate and inspire those around them to become better.

Why is banking a great career?
Banking is an ever-changing field that allows you to help your community in a variety of ways. My parents owned a small business growing up and I see banking as a great way to help businesses grow, which in turn helps the community grow.

Share your favorite book, podcast or quote. Why is it your favorite?
"Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence." - Vince Lombardi. I like this quote because we will all make mistakes along the way, but we must continue to learn from our mistakes and strive for perfection.

In your own words, describe what your role is at the bank:
I ensure that the operations departments, both loan and deposit, have an efficient process that results in the best outcome for our institution and the employee.

How did you get into banking?
In all honesty, I needed a job in high school to help pay for my gas. My business teacher encouraged me to apply at First State to be a teller, and as the saying goes, "the rest is history." I grew to love the complexity of the industry and how everything worked. As a customer everything seemed simple, but as an employee I learned so much more.

What does effective leadership look like to you?
Growth. I think when there are effective leaders the result is growth. I believe you need to grow your employees in knowledge and confidence, and then there will be growth in asset size and bottom line. A leader should be someone that understands the importance of people and how they can get you to where you want to go. 

Why is banking a great career?
The opportunities are endless in the banking industry. There truly is something for everyone. Anything from finances to salesmen, it really has it all. It is a great industry to help people in many ways. Whether it be to buy their first house, start a business or help teach kids about saving. We are here to help.

Share your favorite book, podcast or quote. Why is it your favorite?
My favorite podcast is "That Sounds Fun" because it starts my day with a smile.

Is there anything else you'd like people to know about you or banking?
I have two wonderful daughters that keep us busy and smiling. I love playing sports, being in water and having great friendships. I've been in banking for over half my life!

In your own words, describe what your role is at the bank:
I am currently the Loan Operations Supervisor for Heartland Bank. I develop and implement training plans along with assisting in all aspects of the loan processing / closing and servicing of loans at the bank. I assist with technology and loan software upgrades. Additionally, I create and maintain loan procedures for our lending team. Last but not least I coach and promote culture to our associates.

How did you get into banking?
After college I moved to western Nebraska with my husband. I took a job at a bank with no intentions to pursue a career in banking. However, it did not take long to realize that a career in banking was right for me. I have always felt that I have had a voice in decision making, my talents are being utilized, and my potential for growth is endless.

​What does effective leadership look like to you?
I believe effective leadership is the ability to identify, develop and utilize the strengths of their resources. In my experience, I know that the most effective organizations work to ensure that they have the right people doing the right jobs. Great leaders delegate responsibility to the most capable. They help those who are doing well to do well and inspire those who are doing well to do better.

Why is banking a great career?
Banking is a great career because it is challenging and impactful. As we move through these times of uncertainty, it has been very powerful for me to see how my work has helped many people in my community. I am continually working on new and different projects and never have a shortage of challenges I have to face.

Share your favorite book, podcast or quote. Why is it your favorite?
I have always liked Nelson Mandela’s quote, "I never lose. I either win or I learn." This saying reminds me that winning doesn’t have to mean coming in first. It means doing better than you’ve ever done before. That is great motivation for me to continue to work hard and improve.

Is there anything else you'd like people to know about you or banking?
I am so grateful for the opportunities that working at a community bank has provided me. I appreciate that the bank not only allows me to be involved in our community – it encourages me to do so.