Midwest Bank is a Nebraska-based financial institution that values their tradition of exceptional personal service—a tradition respected in the markets they serve and reflected in the relationships they build. Brian Wolford serves as the Market President for Midwest Bank in Lincoln.
Tell us a little about your business. – Midwest Bank’s roots date back three generations to 1952, when the Cooper family purchased The Farmer’s National Bank of Pilger, NE. The Cooper family’s philosophy of a family-owned, independently managed community bank model has proven successful over the past six decades, and today there are Midwest Bank branches in eight Nebraska communities with total assets exceeding $600,000,000. After 5 years in Lincoln, Midwest Bank has expanded their staff from 4 to 12 and prides itself on being a family of community banks that value personal business relationships, yet are a large enough organization to meet all types of financial needs for their clients.
How did you get started in the business? – After graduating from the University of Nebraska in 1988, I began my career in a management training program for a Nebraska-based bank. I have spent most of my banking career in agriculture and commercial lending, later working as Chief Credit Officer and currently as Market President for Midwest Bank-Lincoln.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – I left banking in 2001 to accept a political appointment as the state executive director for USDA-Nebraska Farm Service Agency during the Bush Administration. Working with over 500 employees we served Nebraska farmers by administering farm program payments, conservation programs and loan programs totaling over $75 million annually. While it was a unique challenge much different from my banking career, working with Nebraska’s farmers and the Farm Service Agency employees was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – The most important achievement as a banker is building a financial partnership with a client and helping to positively contribute to the success of their business.
Tell me a little about your family. – My wife, Tami and I have been married for 23 years. We have two daughters. Our oldest attends UNMC Nursing School and our youngest is a freshman at Lincoln Southwest. We enjoy supporting the girls in their various activities and spending time with them and their friends. We also enjoy attending Husker sporting events.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – On a day off I enjoy taking my wife to breakfast, working around the yard during the day and grilling for the family in the evening.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I am a distant relative of Teddy Roosevelt.
What are you the most proud of? – Tami and I have two great children who work hard and make me proud every day.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Trustworthy
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I would choose to be a major league baseball player for the Dodgers.
What is your favorite movie? – Any James Bond movie.
What is your favorite TV show? – Currently, it’s Duck Dynasty. Some of the humorous things they attempt to do remind me of things we did growing up on the farm.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Vincenzo’s
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – I can be reached at (402) 420-0560, or visit www.midwestbank.com.