Where are your main bank and branches located? What is the market like?
The main bank is located in Brookfield, MO, with additional branches located in Milan, Eagleville, Kearney and North Kansas City.
Verimore Bank has two markets. There is a rural market and a Kansas City Market. I work at the main branch in Brookfield in the Rural Market doing mostly ag and commercial loans. Our market is very competitive with numerous banks in the other market. Brookfield is a small town in a rural area with a population of 5,000 and has six banks.
What is something unique about your bank?
At Verimore Bank, we pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service and being involved in the community. I am currently involved with Linn County Cattlemens, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus and sit on a few other community boards. We believe that being involved in our community and knowing the needs of the community truly makes us a community bank.
How did you get started in the banking business?
A banking career was never on my radar growing up or even while I was attending college. After graduating from Northwest Missouri State University, I started working for the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District, which later evolved into working for USDA-NRCS. While working, I continued to help with the family cattle operation, where we backgrounded and finished cattle. A few years after graduating college, my wife and I started our own cow/calf operation where Verimore Bank was able to provide the financing for us to get started. A couple of years later, my loan officer called out of the blue, wondering if I was interested in a career in the banking world. After several discussions with my wife and family, I decided that a career in banking was the right fit. I haven’t looked back since.
What is the most important thing you have learned from this career so far?
The hardest and most important thing I have learned is that I am not going to be able to help everyone. I have learned to handle these tough conversations with honesty and respect in order to maintain a good working relationship with my customers.
What is the most interesting thing you have learned from this transition to the banking industry?
The most interesting thing I have learned is how much my experience in agriculture would help in the world of ag lending. Being raised on a farm and working with producers outside of banking allows me to better understand a producer’s operation.
Tell us about the bank’s community investment efforts.
Verimore Bank is heavily involved in our community through scholarships, donating gifts to families during the holidays and donating/sponsoring community organizations (Lions Club, Rotary, etc.). One community involvement that I am very proud that Verimore Bank is involved in is Meals on Wheels. Every Thursday, two bank employees deliver meals for the local senior center to folks who are unable to leave their homes.
What’s your favorite thing about your bank or banking in general?
My favorite thing about being in the banking career is when I can help someone make their dreams a reality. Whether that is getting their first car, home or farm, it is a rewarding feeling shaking a customer’s hand after a closing, knowing a dream of theirs has come true.
If you didn’t have a career in banking, what other career would you choose?
When I started college, I had planned to follow my dad’s footsteps and be a veterinarian. If I had to do it all over again, I would be a veterinarian. I have always had an interest in livestock, and having a cattle operation of my own has been rewarding as well.
