Helping their customers grow

Luck be a lady Thursday night

Whether it’s budding crops or a budding business, a local loan officer is an expert in his field, and he’ll do what it takes to help, from running the numbers to walking in a corn field.

BY MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE FOR SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

When it comes to crunching numbers and analyzing costs Gregory Nickrent isn’t just another banker in a blue suit.

You’re more likely to see him in jeans and boots, riding next to a farmer in the field or walking along a dirt path next to rows of soybeans.

When Nickrent joined the Ag/Commercial Lending team at Community State Bank, he brought with him more than 30 years of experience as an ag lender, and a deep understanding and enduring love of farm life, and the hard work it takes to make it possible.

Farming has been a part of his family for years and he knows the routines, the challenges and the rewards, the beauty of gazing up into a starry sky after a day in the fields or looking out at a crops growing tall and green.

When it comes to serving his farming clients, he brings his depth of knowledge, compassion and work ethic to provide the financial tools they need to succeed. From drawing up papers for lines of credit in the spring to enable farmers to purchase supplies for planting, to helping someone dream big and purchase more land or new equipment.

One of the keys to his work is spending time with his clients on their land. It’s an added convenience for customers and it’s an opportunity for Nickrent to see first-hand their land and their livelihood.

“You can learn a lot more when you go and see the farm operations,” Nickrent said. “I want to make sure I fully understand the operations, and the farmers are very proud of their work and they want to show me what they’ve built. I’d rather meet with them around the kitchen table or in the field.”

Nickrent enjoys a ride on the combine, helping to feed the livestock and spending time understanding his clients.

He knows firsthand the hardships of working the land, ever at the mercy of weather, costs they can’t control and other factors that can cut into their bottom line.

When it comes to buying new equipment or expanding operations, Nickrent does more than just run the numbers. He likes to take the time to meet with clients, look over the opportunities and draft the best financial plans.

He also helps clients with commercial lending, helping small businesses and entrepreneurs take the leap from a budding business built on the dining room table to finding a brick and mortar location.

“We’ve had a couple of clients the past few years where someone had a great idea and we help them,” he said, adding that in addition to his know-how, he highly recommends the Sauk Valley Community College’s Business Development Center for helping entrepreneurs create a solid business plan that will enable the commercial lending process to run smoothly.

Whether someone is pursuing a business dream or taking on an extra acreage to expand family farming operations, there are costs, risks and rewards.

Nickrent is proud to be a part of the Community State Bank team, and part of his clients’ hopes and dreams. From budding crops to budding business, he’s happy to help them grow.

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