6 ©2025 Nebraska Independent Community Bankers (NICB) | The newsLINK Group LLC. All rights reserved. The Nebraska Independent Banker is published six times per year by The newsLINK Group LLC for NICB and is the official publication for this association. The information contained in this publication is intended to provide general information for review, consideration and education. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you need legal advice or assistance, it is strongly recommended that you contact an attorney as to your circumstances. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of NICB, its board of directors or the publisher. Likewise, the appearance of advertisements within this publication does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any product or service advertised. The Nebraska Independent Banker is a collective work, and as such, some articles are submitted by authors who are independent of NICB. While a first-print policy is encouraged, in cases where this is not possible, every effort has been made to comply with any known reprint guidelines or restrictions. Content may not be reproduced or reprinted without prior written permission. For further information, please contact the publisher at (855) 747-4003. Nebraska Independent Community Bankers 1201 Lincoln Mall, Ste. 103 Lincoln, NE 68508 (402) 474-4662 nicbonline.com The Nebraska Independent Banker is a publication of The Nebraska Independent Community Bankers Association. Issue 1 • 2025 Take a Look INSIDE 14 21 NICB Executive Committee CHAIRMAN Rick Heckenlively Points West Community Bank Sidney CHAIRMAN ELECT Dave Ochsner Commercial Bank Nelson VICE CHAIRMAN Jim Niemeier Citizens State Bank Friend PRESIDENT/CEO Dexter Schrodt SECRETARY Kelly Lenners First State Bank Nebraska Pickrell TREASURER Arnold Lowell CerescoBank Ceresco IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Corby Schweers Elkhorn Valley Bank Wayne FLOURISH 4 Striking Balance in 2025 By Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO, ICBA FROM THE TOP 6 Why Advocacy Should Be a Top Priority in 2025 By Lucas White, Chairman, ICBA, President of The Fountain Trust Company 8 Banker Showcase We Want to Feature You in Our Next Issue of The Nebraska Independent Banker! PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT 10 Will the Wave Return? Falling Rates Should Boost Cash Flows By Jim Reber, CPA, CFA, President and CEO, ICBA Securities 13 ICBA Live 14 The Case for Personalized Digital Marketing at Community Banks By Hannah Day, Senior Director of Digital Banking, CSI 18 Setting the Stage for Success in 2025 A Call to Community Bankers By Connie West, Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, Regional Vice President, The James Paul Group 21 Too Many Vendors? Consolidate to One Trusted Partner! By Cook Solutions Group 25 Tapping Into SBA Refinancing Lower Rates, More Opportunities By Jessica Stutz, Lending Director, B:Side Capital 27 NICB Endorsed Partners 27 Associate Members 2025
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