Courage

August 21, 2023 Jace Gilleshammer

By Brian Halverson, President/CEO

Courage is most often thought of in relation to tales of bravery and heroism. But courage is a trait that transcends all aspects of our personal and professional lives. It serves as a catalyst for growth, innovation, and transformation. It is a driving force that propels us to overcome obstacles, embrace change, and forge a path towards success.

Courage is something we all need. In Brené Brown’s book Dare to Lead, she makes the connection between vulnerability and courage. You can’t have courage without being vulnerable, yet our egos say being vulnerable is a bad thing. In reality, it’s not. We must understand that being vulnerable is ok.

In the business world, courage is the cornerstone of innovation and progress. In this ever-evolving world, businesses that stay stagnant will be left behind. Leaders must show courage and adapt with the rapidly changing landscape. Taking calculated risks opens doors to new opportunities and enables companies to stay ahead of the competition.

At Heartland Trust, we have shown courage over the past few years as we grow. We’ve had several promotions and hirings; we’ve migrated to several new software platforms including our entire wealth management business; and we recently finished our office remodel (stop by and see it if you’re in the neighborhood!).

Ultimately, we want our courage to promote personal and professional growth. We strive to make every day better than the last. Not every day will be a great day, but we want more great days than good days, and more good days than bad days. I am proud of the team at Heartland Trust and the courage they show.

Confidence in Strength

May 16, 2023 Jace Gilleshammer

The recent news of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank failures should not be too surprising to anyone who understands the timelines and the ways they were conducting their business.

SVB and Signature did not utilize proper risk management and had client bases that were concentrated in riskier industries such as venture capital financing and cryptocurrency. A perfect storm led to the demise of these institutions: rising interest rates, a slowdown in venture capital activity, and clients who reduced their exposure to riskier assets.

As a trust company, we are NOT a broker-dealer. Nor are we a traditional bank that accepts client deposits and lends them out. Our clients’ assets are NOT reflected on our balance sheet. Heartland Trust is entrusted with our clients’ assets and maintains good stewardship on their behalf. As a trust company, we are regulated and routinely examined by the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. We are required to have a certain amount of our own assets pledged on our balance sheet. These funds come from our own revenue and commitments from our shareholders.

The assets we manage are ALWAYS our clients’ assets. They are NEVER ours to use in any way shape or form. We are a financial institution that maintains assets and invests funds on behalf of those we work for. This is the way we have done business since our founding and the way we will continue to operate. I get to tell the wonderful story of HTC and how strong our business is. We are proud to have been chosen by the individuals, families, charities, foundations, and businesses that make up our client base. The entire team of professionals at Heartland makes us so strong. We appreciate your confidence in us to help you along life’s journey.

The IT Crowd

May 15, 2023 Jace Gilleshammer

In the modern world, personal information is an increasingly valuable asset. It is a key target for cybercriminals and hackers, who can use this information to commit identity theft, fraud, and other cybercrimes.

With the rapid expansion of technology, most people now have access to computers in their workplaces. While these computers are essential for work-related tasks, it is important to avoid storing personal information on them. Here are some reasons why:

Security Risks: Work computers are usually connected to a network, and the security of this network is managed by the company’s IT department. However, this security is not always foolproof. Hackers and cybercriminals can exploit vulnerabilities in the network and gain access to the computers connected to it. If you have personal information stored on your work computer, it could be stolen and used against you.

Company Policies: Many companies prohibit employees from storing personal information on their work computers. These policies are designed to protect the company’s sensitive data and prevent employees from inadvertently compromising it.

Privacy Concerns: Even if your company allows you to store personal information on your work computer, consider the privacy implications of doing so. Other employees may have access to your computer, either physically or remotely. If it is not something you would be willing to share with your coworkers, don’t leave it on your computer.

Compliance Issues: Depending on your industry and the type of personal information you are storing, you may be subject to various compliance regulations. For example, if you are storing personal health information, you may be subject to HIPAA regulations. Violating these regulations can result in hefty fines and legal repercussions.

Professionalism: Finally, remember that your work computer is primarily a tool for work-related tasks. Using it to store personal information can give the impression that you are not taking your job seriously or are not focused on work-related tasks. Maintain a level of professionalism in the workplace. Storing personal information on your work computer can detract from that.

Avoid storing personal information on your work computer. Doing so can put you at risk for cybercrime, violate company policies, compromise your privacy, result in compliance issues, and detract from your professionalism in the workplace. If you need to store personal information, use a personal device and ensure that it is secure and protected.

A New Year

February 28, 2023 Jace Gilleshammer

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!

On a Mission

November 7, 2022 Jace Gilleshammer

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.

How and Why

August 3, 2022 Jace Gilleshammer

Brian Halverson

Heartland Trust Company has served our clients for over 32 years. WOW! And we are just getting
started! It has been an exciting few months at Heartland. Our staff is growing and we are thrilled about
upcoming advancements to our business. We will have more to share in our next newsletter.

Living For Today, Planning For The Future

May 5, 2022 Jace Gilleshammer

Brian Halverson

Too often, the words “planning for your future” lead only to a conversation about retirement. In reality, the challenge we all face is balancing how to meet long-term financial goals with today’s expenses. Yes, you should participate in your employer’s retirement plan, and you should have an emergency fund, but how do you do that while living fully today?

My spouse and I are blessed with three young, active kids. We are immersed not only in our own lives and events but keep up with an avalanche of activities for our children. It seems like every weekend we are traveling out of town to another tournament. This means paying for gas, food, and a hotel at every turn. It drains the checkbook, but we’ve found creative ways to stick to a budget. We bring snacks and meals, and use credit card and loyalty rewards points for hotels and gas when we can. Sometimes we only take part of the family, which gives my spouse or I valuable one on one time with each of the kids.

Finding Balance

February 10, 2022 Jace Gilleshammer

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.

Endurance

November 1, 2021 Jace Gilleshammer

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.

Grateful

August 3, 2021 Jace Gilleshammer

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.