By Brian Halverson, President

Last year was unique on many levels. The stock and bond markets had some of their worst years on record. Interest rates hit a 12-year high and the job market saw a lot of movement while unemployment remained low. It was a stressful and confusing year but, like all bad things, it came to an end and a new day started. The bond market has begun to rebound, the stock market is already up almost 7% as of this writing, and we have more or less returned to normal since COVID first flipped our lives upside down three years ago.

We experienced many changes at Heartland Trust in 2022 as well. We completed our conversion to Fidelity on our wealth management side. We added several new employees, including a chief operating officer who makes sure our business operations are running as smoothly as possible. We also promoted several team members. On top of that, we kicked off an office remodel project to add more workspace and to update other areas of the building.

While I am not disappointed to see 2022 gone, I am reminded of how our entire team came together. Through all of the challenges, we kept our commitment to deliver personalized service to help our clients reach their financial goals.

I am excited for what this year will bring. And I know we will stay dedicated to our company mission of serving the people, companies, and communities we work for. We wish everyone a happy and successful 2023!

Brian Halverson, President

Most businesses have a mission statement that guides them in their day-to-day responsibilities and directs their decision-making process. Think of it as how a business speaks to the purpose and understanding of what they do.  

Heartland Trust Company’s mission is “To provide a lifelong commitment to the well-being of those we serve.” It’s intended to be clean, precise, and all-encompassing. We use it to guide our decisions from the types of accounts we administer and the benefits we offer our employees to how we serve our community. 

We want our clients to have a strong sense of financial well-being so they are prepared for the next phases in their life. We want our employees to have a work environment that is motivating and joyful. We want the communities we live in to be vibrant and successful. 

Our IRA and investment account clients at Heartland Trust Company know we are going through a conversion with one of our vendors. This change has been thought through, discussed, and researched for years. We have experienced growth in both those we serve and the size of our team. At the root of this vendor change is our commitment to the well-being of those we serve. 

We want to work smarter, not harder, so we can stay focused on our mission and prioritize the things that matter most to us: our clients, our team, and our communities. 

Brian Halverson – President

When you match a strong work ethic with a society that doesn’t promote balance, a person can get lost in the day-to-day grind of trying to keep up. Without balance, something always suffers, whether it’s work or family. Or maybe you are present, but nothing gets the full attention it should.

Finding balance isn’t easy. You must identify what is meaningful and learn when, why, and how to say yes or no. When you introduce “change” into the conversation, it makes finding balance even more difficult.

Brian Halverson – President

One of the most legendary expeditions was led by Sir Ernest Shackleton from 1914-1916. On a ship rightfully named Endurance, he led a journey known as the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. This expedition had no guarantee of returning home safely and promised an abundance of adventure in the unknown.

With a clear goal, a strong team, and a mighty ship, the crew of 28 set off for the Antarctic Circle.

As you read this quarter’s newsletter, you will notice many exciting changes going on at Heartland Trust. After 31 years leading the operations, compliance, and HR departments at Heartland, Sheryl Bernier has retired/significantly reduced her work hours and duties. 

Sheryl’s departure brings changes in the form of promotions and new hires. Our team is growing, and we are bringing on experienced and knowledgeable people who share the qualities and values that we hold up as important. And while not seeing Sheryl every day will be a hard change, we are grateful. Grateful for her three decades of leadership. Grateful that our other team members are growing with their careers. Grateful that we can bring in other experienced professionals who want to grow with Heartland. 

Spring is a wonderful time of year.

Snow melts, flowers bloom, docks, and boats are placed in the water. This is the time of year when we see the cold bareness of winter transition into the long warm days of summer. With the season come key moments that signal the end of winter: tax season, golf course openings, trees budding. 

For all of us, spring confirms that winter doesn’t last forever. As dreary March stretches into light-filled May, we find new hope, new growth. We receive this confirmation when we have to buy our kids new soccer shoes, or suffer aches and pains from hitting golf balls, or see farmers in the fields. 

After the year we’ve been through, it is comforting to recognize the growth process is alive and well. No matter how cold the winter is, spring comes. This time of year, that’s confirmation of new opportunities and growth for us all.

We have all been confronted with challenges over the past 10 months. 

Whether we needed to find a new way to complete a familiar task or wrestled internally with some difficult questions, this pandemic has affected all aspects of our lives.

In response, we’ve had little choice but to move onward.

While finding a way forward can be uncomfortable, it’s actually a good thing. Challenges promote growth. When we face obstacles, we learn how to be more efficient and prioritize what’s important to us. We’re forced to recognize and cherish the small things in life. 

As we turn the page to a new year, I celebrate the ways the team at Heartland Trust has moved forward with confidence and purpose. I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished professionally and personally in a year where nothing was expected. Even as the world changed around us, we hung on to the values that mean so much to us and you.

I’m proud of the challenges we’ve faced and look forward to seeing how we continue to grow. Onward!