NBA Pays Tribute to Historic Banks & Bankers

The Nebraska Bankers Association paid tribute to 11 Nebraska bankers and three banks that have marked significant milestones. The following were recognized during the association’s annual convention in La Vista on May 9:

Bankers recognized for 50 years of service:

• Nancy Hoeck, Bruning Bank, Holdrege
• Julie Knauss, Waypoint Bank, Cozad
• Hod Kosman, Platte Valley Financial Service Companies, Scottsbluff
• James Nelson, Nebraska Bank, Dodge
• Dennis Siedel, Jones Bank, Seward
• Rebecca Stecher, Nebraska Bank, Dodge
• Robert Stowell, First National Bank in Ord, Ord
• Susan Twiehaus, Security First Bank, Lincoln
• Steve Wake, Jones Bank, Seward
• Larry Wilcox, Minden Exchange Bank & Trust, Minden
• Matthew Williams, Flatwater Bank, Gothenburg

Bank recognized for 100 years of service:

• Nebraska State Bank, Bristow

Banks recognized for 125 years of service:

• First Community Bank, Beemer
• Heartland Bank, Geneva

50-Year Bankers
 
Nancy Hoeck
Nancy Hoeck’s career in banking began in 1973 as a receptionist at First Security Bank in Holdrege. Twenty years later, she became a loan clerk, having worked her way up through teller and new accounts positions. In 1993 the bank was purchased by United Nebraska Bank, where she continued as a loan clerk until her promotion to mortgage loan officer in 2000. TierOne Bank purchased United Nebraska Bank in 2004. During her time at TierOne, she received the USDA Rural Development Mortgage Lenders Top Producer Award.
 
In 2009 Nancy joined the new Bruning Bank branch in Holdrege and continued working as a mortgage lender until 2016. As she prepares to retire in the coming years, she now assists in all areas of the bank. Her friendliness, positive attitude and willingness to help both customers and employees alike make Nancy an asset to the banking industry.

 
Julie Knauss
Julie Knauss began her banking career in October 1973 in the Cozad operations department, making her the longest-tenured employee in Waypoint Bank’s 140-year history. She currently works as a bookkeeper for the bank. During her career, she has seen countless changes within the industry, from posting checks by hand using 10-column posting machines to her current duties that involve using a computer and the internet.
 
Julie has been a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Does for 45 years, a service club that works in harmony with, but independent of, the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. The BPO Does and Elks are dedicated to the principles of patriotism, charity, loyalty and love.

 
Hod Kosman
Hod Kosman recently completed 50 years of service to the banking industry and is the chairman, president and CEO of Platte Valley Financial Service Companies. The Kosman family's banking history dates to the early 1900s. PVC now has 22 banking locations throughout the Nebraska Panhandle, eastern Wyoming, and northern Colorado.
 
Aside from banking, Hod is actively involved in conservation and has lent his expertise to organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Wild Turkey Federation and the Nature Conservancy. Hod was recently honored for his contributions to Business and Industry as a member of the Aksarben Court of Honor.
 
Hod continues to work full-time and is actively engaged in coaching and mentoring the next generation of leadership for the financial services industry and community banking.
 
 
James “Jim” Nelson
Before entering the banking industry, Jim Nelson served in the U.S. Air Force for over four years. In 1967 he began his banking career in Alliance. He has served Nebraska communities from several banks including Abbott Bank, Western Bank, F&M Bank and Nebraska Bank, where he currently serves as a senior vice president in Dodge. Over the years, he has held positions as a loan officer and cashier, as well as a member of the bank’s board of directors.
 
In 2005, Jim semi-retired but returned to Nebraska Bank in 2012 in a part-time capacity. Nebraska Bank is grateful for Jim’s extensive experience.
 
 
Dennis Siedel
Before joining Oak Creek Valley Bank, now Jones Bank, in July 1973, Dennis Seidel was a teacher and coach at Valparaiso High School and later at Raymond Central Public Schools. He served on the bank’s board of directors and as executive vice president from 1975 to 1995. During this time, he also was a loan officer, insurance agent and tax preparer.
 
Dennis attempted retirement for a few months in 1996 but returned to the bank to help fill in during staffing changes. What he didn’t know was that this “temporary” break from retirement would turn into nearly three more decades. He officially retired in June of last year as senior vice president.
 
When Oak Creek Valley Bank was purchased by Jones Bank, he concentrated on managing the insurance agency and helping customers with their insurance needs. Dennis’ vast knowledge of banking and insurance was an asset to the bank’s success. His guidance and expertise are greatly missed by both his coworkers and customers.
 
 
Rebecca “Becky” Stecher
In 1974 Becky Stecher began her career in banking at Farmers State Bank, now Nebraska Bank, in Dodge. Her first role involved general teller duties, filing checks and using a posting machine and a typewriter. She has also survived four core conversions at the bank.
 
Through her hard work and dedication to serving the Dodge community, Becky has received several promotions. She currently serves as a vice president and loan officer. Becky is also involved with loan processing and IRA administration. Nebraska Bank appreciates her decades of experience.
 
 
Robert “Bob” Stowell
Before beginning his career in banking, Bob Stowell earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1965. From there, he served as a U.S. Army infantry officer, including a placement in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. In 1972, Bob graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law. He is a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Bob has been on First National Bank in Ord’s board of directors and has served as bank counsel since 1974.
 
During his professional career, Bob has participated in a variety of local economic development entities including the Nebraska Community Foundation board, the Valley County Community Foundation Fund, the Valley County Health System Foundation and the Ord Public School Board, as well as several other church and civic organizations. He is also a fellow of the Rural Futures Institute initiated by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and served for three years on the Rural Development Commission.
 
He defines the term “community service” through his involvement in developing and improving life in the Ord community. His lifelong contribution to the bank, his community and the state makes First National Bank in Ord proud to recognize Bob for his more than 50 years of dedication to community service.
 
 
Susan “Susie” Twiehaus
As a high school student, Susie Twiehaus’ began her career in banking as a new accounts representative at Ames Bank in Omaha. After two years, she moved to Lincoln and worked for Citizens State Bank from 1976 to 1983. During her time at Citizens State Bank, she worked her way up through various positions including new accounts supervisor, loan accounting clerk and later supervisor, consumer loan officer and branch manager. In 1983 the bank merged with Gateway Bank and Trust Company. From 1983 to 1986 Susie was the internal audit coordinator and later the loan administration officer for the bank. In 1986 Gateway was renamed Vistar Bank, and Susie became the assistant vice president of support services for two years, followed by the role of controller, assistant vice president, for four years.
 
From 1992 to 1995, she served as the loan origination manager for Provident Federal Savings Bank, until the bank’s merger into Commercial Federal Mortgage Corporation. In February 1999, Susie joined Security First Bank. Today, she serves as the bank’s retail services manager, senior vice president, at the Red Rock location in Lincoln. She is part of the Culture Committee and Lincoln Loan Committee as well.
 
In addition to her banking service, she has served as a board member for multiple organizations including the Red Cross, Cheney School District and Theatre Arts for Kids.
 
 
James “Steve” Wake
Steve Wake began his banking career in July 1973 as assistant cashier at Jones Bank in Seward, becoming the fourth generation of his family to work in the bank. He filled the roles of cashier, vice president and executive vice president from 1974 to 1978. By 1982 he was elected chairman of the board. In 2014, Steve became vice chairman of the board when his son Max became chairman.
 
Jones Bank was founded in 1883 by Claudius Jones and is still family-owned today. Steve greatly values the employees who have served the bank and its customers. His friendly, patient demeanor makes him an asset to the banking industry and Jones Bank.
 
 


Larry Wilcox
Minden native Larry Wilcox has an impressive record of serving the banking industry, his customers and the community. After earning his bachelor's degree in business education and master’s degree in vocational education from Kearney State College, he taught in schools in Shelton and Minden for several years. During his teaching career, he also coached football and basketball and worked as a crop hail adjuster. His passion for agriculture helped develop his interest in banking, and he entered the industry in 1974 at First National Bank of Minden and later spent time at First National Bank of Cambridge.
 
In 1985, Larry joined Minden Exchange Bank & Trust Company, where he spent the remainder of his banking career until his retirement in January 2023. Over fifty years, he served the bank as a loan officer, vice president, senior vice president, trust department manager and director. Though retired, he continues to serve on the bank’s board of directors and is active on the loan and trust committees. Larry has also served on various local and state organizations’ boards and committees, including the Minden Public Schools Board, Kearney County Extension Board, Kearney County Fair Board and the NBA Lending Committee. He is currently the chairman of the Harold Warp Pioneer Village Museum Foundation and the Nels and Lucille Winther Foundation.
 
 
Matthew “Matt” Williams
In 1973, Matt Williams joined Gothenburg State Bank, now Flatwater Bank (renamed in 2019), becoming a fourth-generation banker. Just three years later, he was elected president and chairman of the board. Matt served as NBA Chair in 2003 and as chairman of the American Bankers Association in 2013. In 2009, he was chosen as one of 14 bankers from across the country to serve on the FDIC Advisory Committee on Community Banking. In 2015, Matt was elected to the Nebraska Legislature, and his son-in-law, Luke Rickertsen, was named president of the bank. Matt represented District 36 from 2015 to 2022. During his time as a state senator, he served as chair of the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee. He continues his role as bank chairman today. He also serves as chairman of the board of directors of Nebraska Innovation Campus, director of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Aksarben Foundation Board of Governors.
 
Throughout his career, Matt has received numerous awards, including the Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; the ABA Ag Banker of the Year Award; Friend of the Court Award from the Nebraska Judiciary; Nebraska Alumni Association Public Service Award; Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law; the Diplomat of the Year Award from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the Friend of Education Award from the Nebraska Public Schools Administrators Association.
 
Matt received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
 
 
100-Year Bank

Nebraska State Bank, Bristow
Nebraska State Bank in Bristow is a small, family-owned bank that received its state charter on November 14, 1924. Since the bank’s official charter until today, it has been owned and operated by a descendant of Launce Gibson, great-grandfather of the bank’s current president, Jerald Dennis. Jerald is a third-generation descendant, and bank employee Joseph Micanek is a fourth-generation descendant. Nebraska State Bank also had the fifth known female bank president in our state’s history: Julia Gibson, Jerald’s grandmother. She took over as president following her husband’s death in 1958 and served in that position for 12 years.
 
The bank’s history can be likened to a scene in the movie It’s A Wonderful Life. During the Great Depression, several depositors threatened a “run on the bank.” Launce asked them to wait for one day so he could get cash to satisfy their financial needs. That same night, he left for Omaha and appeared at the United States National Bank before opening the next day, where they declared his bank good and sound and advanced him the cash. The Omaha Evening Bee News reported, “With the cockpit well stacked with currency, Launce Gibson, cashier of the Nebraska State Bank of Bristow, Nebr., took off from the municipal airport at 10:00 a.m. to supply depositors in his bank.” The Boyd County Sheriff met the plane in a pasture outside of town to escort Launce and the cash to the bank. Launce spread the cash on the counter and asked those who wanted to close their account to come to the teller window. Few did, and the bank survived.
 
 
125-Year Banks
 
First Community Bank, Beemer
On September 29, 1899, First Community Bank in Beemer was chartered as Farmers State Bank with a total capital of $25,000. In April 1903, the bank converted to a national charter and was renamed The First National Bank of Beemer. In 2010, the bank converted the charter back to a state charter and established its current name.
 
Over the last 125 years, First Community Bank has remained community-focused and has expanded to serve Homer (1985), Bancroft (1998) and Fremont (2017), as well as Beemer. Ownership and management of the bank has always remained local, with the Steffensmeier family taking the reins in 1963 when Raymond H. Steffensmeier acquired principal ownership. He started as a teller at the bank in 1959 and became president in 1962. Through his sons, David and Douglas, grandchildren and even many great-grandchildren as summer help, First Community Bank has continued to be owned and operated by the Steffensmeier family, now in its fourth generation.
 
The Steffensmeier family is humbled and honored to have provided financial services to the bank’s communities for so long. The bank employs nearly 50 individuals and continues to focus on supporting the local economies and activities in the communities it serves.

 
Heartland Bank, Geneva
Heartland Bank, formerly known as Geneva State Bank, was founded on March 27, 1899. The bank’s legacy began on the second floor of the Fraternity Temple in Geneva, which is the very site where Heartland Bank's main office is currently located. The new bank prospered until the fall of 1904. In the early morning hours of October 24, 1904, the entire building burned to the ground. The fire certainly could have been the end of the bank’s story. Instead, it became a remarkable demonstration of the young bank's intelligent and committed management.
 
While the building was still burning, hours before daylight, they were knocking on doors throughout town trying to secure another location. The following day, Geneva State Bank opened for business at the regular hour in a temporary location. Two years later, a new bank building was erected.
 
Like many of the bank’s customers, Heartland Bank is a family-owned business. The Wilkins family’s first association with Geneva State Bank came in 1908 when Earl H. Wilkins served as bookkeeper. After 25 years, in 1933, Earl became the president of the bank and served for almost 40 years. Hugh F. Wilkins accepted a position at the bank in 1948 and succeeded his father as president. Hugh's son, Cam Wilkins, was elected as president in 1986 and held the position until his passing in 2009. At that time, John C. Wilkins assumed the role of president and CEO which he still holds today.