What local economic trend has had the biggest impact on your day-to-day work recently? The rising cost of agricultural production. Input costs — everything from seed and fuel to equipment and interest rates — have been climbing steadily, and that impacts not only our customers’ bottom lines but the kinds of conversations we’re having in the bank every day. How do your banks contribute differently to the community, and where do you see overlap or shared values? Both of our banks are deeply committed to the community. We support everything from the local school and church to youth programs and events. At Ford County State Bank, we’re also proud to serve as a trustee for the Joe C. Nielsen Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to graduating seniors. We manage a charitable foundation established by Tom Feist, our former majority stockholder, which donates nearly $1 million annually to local nonprofit projects. That’s a legacy we’re honored to carry forward. At the end of the day, Kevin’s bank and ours may have some differences in services, but we share the same core values: service, trust and giving back to Spearville. Have there ever been moments where you found yourselves on opposite sides of a deal or client situation? How did you handle it? Yes, and when it happens, we handle it the way professionals should — with respect. There’s no room for ego in small-town banking. We know the importance of maintaining relationships, and that includes with each other. Do you ever bounce ideas or challenges off each other, even though you technically work for competitors? Not too often, but when we talk shop, it’s always helpful. There’s value in having someone across the street who understands what you’re facing and respects the work you do, even if you’re not on the same payroll. What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry since you started? Regulation. There’s no question that the regulatory footprint has grown dramatically since I started in 1980. Everything from compliance to reporting has become more complex and time-consuming, even for small community banks like ours. That’s a big shift from when decisions were more local and flexible. Do you plan to retire soon? It’s on the horizon, but I haven’t made any final decisions yet. Kevin talks about traveling and seeing his grandkids — he may beat me to it! Favorite shared memory? There are too many to count, but we laugh a lot, remembering our high school days and seeing our careers come full circle, now just across the street from one another. 17
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