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Welcome to Heartland Bank

Our history is embedded in the stories of many families. After all, we've been here as family farms and businesses have passed from generation to generation. We have seen the comings and goings of everything from horse-drawn wagons and Model T's to modern-day SUVs. At Heartland Bank, our community involvement goes beyond the dollars and cents of banking. It's a testament to our commitment to the people – our communities, families, and all their dreams. It demonstrates we care about the economic, cultural, and social development of the communities we serve.

Honoring Our Roots

We founded Heartland Bank, formerly Geneva State Bank, on March 27, 1899. Our legacy began on the second floor of the Fraternity Temple in Geneva, NE, which is the very site where Heartland Bank's main office is currently located. The new bank prospered, operations ran smoothly, and relationships were formed.

That is, until the fall of 1904.

The entire building burned to the ground in the early morning hours of October 24, 1904. The fire certainly could have been the end of our story. Instead, it became a remarkable demonstration of the young institution's intelligent and committed management.

While the building was still burning, hours before daylight, they were knocking on doors throughout town, trying to secure another location. The following day, Geneva State Bank opened for business at regular hours in a temporary location. Two years later, a new bank building was erected.

A Family-Owned, Community Bank

Like many of our customers, we are a family-owned business. The current owners, the Wilkins family, first association with Geneva State Bank came in 1908 when Earl H. Wilkins served as bookkeeper. After 25 years, in 1933, Earl became the bank's president for almost 40 years. Hugh F. Wilkins accepted a position at the bank in 1948 and succeeded his father as president. Hugh's son, Hugh C. (Cam) Wilkins, was elected president in 1986 and held the position until his passing in 2009. At that time, John C. Wilkins assumed the role of President and CEO, which he still holds today.

 

Over a Century of Growth

As our customers grew and expanded, so did we. Heartland Bank has grown from a single location in Geneva to a network of branch locations across Central Nebraska. As we continue to grow, know this: our commitment remains the same wherever we go. We build relationships, deliver personal service, and want to help you, your family, and your community grow.

How We Grew

Over the past two decades, strategic acquisitions and branch openings have driven our steady growth. Explore the timeline below to celebrate the proud milestones that define our journey.

 

  1. 1998
  2. 1999
  3. 2001
  4. 2001
  5. 2002
  6. 2003
  7. 2008
  8. 2010
  9. 2011
  10. 2013
  11. 2013
  12. 2014
  13. 2014
  14. 2014
  15. 2015
  16. 2015
  17. 2016
  18. 2018
  19. 2019
  20. 2019
  21. 2020
  22. 2021
  23. 2023
  24. 2024
  25. 2024

  1. AUG

    1998

    The Investment Center, a Raymond James Financial, Inc. service, officially opened in the historic Brown Building next to the central bank in Geneva. This full-service brokerage offered all branch customers a wide range of financial products and services.

  2. MAY

    1999

    A Loan Production Office of Geneva State Bank opened in Kearney, Nebraska.

  3. JUN

    2001

    Shickley State Bank was purchased and merged with Geneva State Bank.

    Shickley State Bank Logo

     

  4. AUG

    2001

    Our Investment Center, Raymond James Financial, Inc. service, officially opened in the historic Brown Building next to the central bank in Geneva. This full-service brokerage offered customers a wide range of financial products and services.

  5. OCT

    2002

    Grafton State Bank merged with Geneva State Bank.

    Grafton State Bank Logo

    Geneva State Bank's Kearney Loan Production Office officially opened as a full-service branch.

    GSB-Kearney

     

  6. JAN

    2003

    Geneva State Bank added a farm management and real estate broker service.

  7. APR

    2008

    A full-service branch of Geneva State Bank was opened in Hastings, Nebraska.

    Locations-Hastings-min

     

  8. OCT

    2010

    The Farmers State Bank in Fairmont, Nebraska, was purchased and merged into Geneva State Bank.

    Farmers State Bank Logo

    fairmont-exterior-small

     

  9. JAN

    2011

    Geneva State Bank purchased Richard Pilakowski's Raymond James Investment Center in Kearney, Nebraska, and moved his offices into the Kearney location.

  10. OCT

    2013

    The remodel of Geneva State Bank's headquarters was completed on October 7th, 2013. The remodel included improvements to four buildings, demolition of the former Ashby Building, and two new additions with four different construction phases. The bank's working area increased from 12,000 to 18,000 square feet. A new drive-thru with wider lanes was constructed on the north side of the building.

    geneva

     

  11. NOV

    2013

    A Loan Production Office of Geneva State Bank was opened in Burwell, Nebraska.

  12. JAN

    2014

    The Holding Company for Geneva State Bank purchased the State Bank of Riverdale. The two banks ran as separate organizations until the end of February 2014.

    State Bank of Riverdale

     

  13. MAR

    2014

    Geneva State Bank and the State Bank of Riverdale merged to form Heartland Bank, a name chosen to reflect the shared values and relationships of families, businesses, and ag operations across the Midwest. Together, the two banks brought over 100 years of experience serving the financial needs of Central Nebraska. While the names Geneva State Bank and the State Bank of Riverdale are no longer in use, the tradition, culture, banking philosophies, and community focus that defined both institutions continue with Heartland Bank.

    Heartland Bank Logo

     

  14. OCT

    2014

    Heartland Bank opened a Loan Production Office in Aurora, Nebraska.

    Aurora_LPO-small

     

  15. MAR

    2015

    On March 31st, 2015, associates, senior management, and board members from Heartland Bank formally broke ground on the construction site of the new Hastings, Nebraska branch.

     

  16. JUN

    2015

    The Heartland Bank Loan Production Office in Burwell, Nebraska, opened its doors as a new full-service branch on June 1st, 2015. The Burwell team moved from their temporary LPO location to a brand new branch on the southeast corner of Burwell.

    Locations-Burwell-min

     

  17. MAR

    2016

    An 8,000-square-foot branch was completed in Hastings, Nebraska. It was designed to enhance the customer experience and features extensive use of glass, open lighting, and a beautiful community room. The branch was created to strengthen the partnership between customers, associates, and the Hastings community.

    hastings_branch_photo_1700

     

  18. OCT

    2018

    The Heartland Bank Loan Production Office in Aurora, Nebraska, transitioned into a full-service branch.

  19. JAN

    2019

    Heartland Bank purchased the First National Bank of Fairbury and the Jefferson County Bank of Daykin, adding four new facilities and full-service branches in Fairbury and Daykin, Nebraska.

    First National Bank of Fairbury Logo

    Jefferson County Bank Logo

     

  20. SEP

    2019

    Heartland Bank opened a full-service branch in Grand Island. 

    Grand Island_1

     

  21. OCT

    2020

    The construction of a new location in Aurora, Nebraska, was completed on October 13th, 2020. 

    Heartland Bank - Aurora, Nebraska Location

     

  22. JUL

    2021

    Our Investment Center, Raymond James, re-branded and established a new partnership with LPL Financial, becoming Sandstone Wealth Management.

    SANDSTONE-CLR-Web-small

     

  23. MAR

    2023

    Heartland Bank started expansion into the Omaha, Nebraska, market.

  24. FEB

    2024

    Heartland Bank purchased the State Bank of Odell and added two new full-service branches in Odell and Diller, Nebraska.

    State Bank of Odell Logo

     

  25. MAR

    2024

    Heartland Bank celebrates 125 years of service.

    125-HB Logo

     


Vision & Values

  • Our Vision: To be a growing organization providing leadership that improves the lives of customers, associates and communities.
  • Our Values: Caring, Family, Leadership, Integrity, Professional and Excellence
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© 2025 Heartland Bank

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