progress: BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
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CHARLES CITY PRESS | WWW.CHARLESCITYPRESS.COM | FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025
First Security Bank sees leadership changes, facility consolidation and community focus in 2024
For The Press First Security Bank & Trust saw major leadership changes, facility consolidations and a re- newed emphasis on community involvement throughout 2024, marking a year of transition for the north central Iowa-based fi - nancial institution. At the be- ginning of the year, longtime President and CEO Kurt Herbrechts- meyer moved into the role of chairman of the Board of Directors after nearly 20 years in leadership. Former Chief Financial Of- fi cer Brad Miller took over as president and CEO and joined the board. “My career in banking and fi nancial services spans over 30 years, and I was doing a lot of things over those years to pre- pare myself for a role like this,” Miller said. Since taking over, he has fo- cused on learning more about customer needs, strengthening employee engagement and fos- tering workplace growth. “One of the things we like to do is develop our talent, so they can develop their careers, remain in the community, and make ever-greater contribu- tions,” Miller said. Several staff members ad- vanced within the organization over the past year. Employee achievements included promo- Miller
Submitted photo
Annie Sawyer and Charlie Newman welcome customers in the drive-up.
Submitted photo Selena Jensen and Amy Wilson present fraud education to RRMR students and staff.
tions, professional certi fi cations and participation in industry leadership programs. Notable advancements includ- ed Dave Ragsdale’s promotion to vice president and his certi- fi cation as a Community Bank Credit Analyst, as well as Bobbi Spainhower’s promotion to vice president after achieving an Accredited Asset Management Specialist credential. OTHER EMPLOYEES complet- ed banking and lending training programs, with multiple individ- uals earning promotions in retail banking, loan operations and human resources. Two new senior managers joined the bank’s leadership team. Scott Smits became chief
lending of fi cer after serving as a chief credit of fi cer at a Min- nesota-based community bank with a strong agricultural lend- ing focus. He previously worked in Chicago and other fi nancial hubs across the country. “I spent the last 37 years con- sulting and working with fi nan- cial institutions throughout the U.S. and started here in August of 2024,” Smits said. “My aim is to support local businesses with a focus on long-term com- munity development.” Chuck Mersch also joined as chief fi nancial of fi cer, bring- ing 17 years of fi nance and risk management experience. Facility changes in Charles City were another focus in 2024, as the bank consolidated
from three locations to two. The transition was compli- cated by Main Street parking lot and sidewalk renovations, as well as unexpected fl ood dam- age that required fl ooring re- pairs at the bank’s headquarters. The consolidation allowed employees who frequently col- laborate to work closer together as accounting, human resources and marketing staff relocated to of fi ce space at the Union House on Main Street. The bank also expanded the use of Video Banking technol- ogy, fi rst introduced in 2015, at its Charles City and Hampton locations. The service, which allows customers to conduct transactions via video chat, ex- tended operating hours to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. VP/Retail Banking Manager Lyndsay Clark said the change has been well received. “Our video bankers know their regular customers, just like the tellers do in the lobby,” she said. “And if a customer doesn’t prefer Video Banking, they are
still welcome to call our teller line directly and they’ll meet them in drive-up, or they can al- ways stop inside.” FRAUD EDUCATION was another key initiative. Employees Amy Wilson and Selena Jensen led “Fraud Talks” throughout the region, presenting at schools, senior centers, community clubs and libraries. More than 250 people attend- ed the sessions in 2024, with ad- ditional presentations scheduled for 2025. Wilson said the education is making a difference, recalling a student who approached her af- ter a presentation to verify that a suspicious text message was fraudulent. The bank also continued its tradition of community ser- vice, with employees logging nearly 5,000 volunteer hours. First Security contributed nearly $220,000 in donations through- out its service area. “In 2024, we fi nalized new
core values, including ‘service,’” Miller said. “We de fi ne service as using our skills and resourc- es to bene fi t others – whether through customized fi nancial services, philanthropy, or simple acts of kindness. These numbers re fl ect just a portion of our com- mitment to that value.” The bank’s other newly adopted core values include innovation, collaboration, pas- sion and life-long learning. Its new mission statement reads: “Building and protecting your legacy by taking an active role in your fi nancial health.” “These values and mission statement guide every decision we make,” Miller said. “We’re already seeing meaningful prog- ress as we build on First Securi- ty Bank’s 121-year legacy, and that progress is only possible because of the trust our custom- ers place in us. “We’re grateful for their con- fi dence as we work to help them achieve their fi nancial goals,” he said.
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