ABA Banking Journal
No Result
View All Result
  • Topics
    • Ag Banking
    • Commercial Lending
    • Community Banking
    • Compliance and Risk
    • Cybersecurity
    • Economy
    • Human Resources
    • Insurance
    • Legal
    • Mortgage
    • Mutual Funds
    • Payments
    • Policy
    • Retail and Marketing
    • Tax and Accounting
    • Technology
    • Wealth Management
  • Newsbytes
  • Podcasts
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Magazine Archive
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Podcast Archive
    • Sponsored Content Archive
SUBSCRIBE
ABA Banking Journal
  • Topics
    • Ag Banking
    • Commercial Lending
    • Community Banking
    • Compliance and Risk
    • Cybersecurity
    • Economy
    • Human Resources
    • Insurance
    • Legal
    • Mortgage
    • Mutual Funds
    • Payments
    • Policy
    • Retail and Marketing
    • Tax and Accounting
    • Technology
    • Wealth Management
  • Newsbytes
  • Podcasts
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Magazine Archive
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Podcast Archive
    • Sponsored Content Archive
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home Ag Banking

A Teacher Turned Banker

March 2, 2017
Reading Time: 4 mins read

By Brian Nixon

After Stan Jenks graduated from Western Illinois University, he became a teacher, a profession that the Monmouth, Ill., native was quite happy to pursue.

A year later, when Security Savings Bank, also based in Monmouth, came calling with a job opportunity, he decided to give banking a chance. The year was 1976 and since then, Jenks and Security Savings Bank haven’t looked back.

The mutual institution, which has $185 million in assets and two offices, has grown steadily, including shifting from operating as a traditional building and loan association (it was founded in 1882) to one more focused on commercial lending with an agricultural focus. The institution also formed a mutual holding company in the event that an expansion opportunity presented itself.

The institution’s leaders—including Jenks, who grew up on a farm, and a majority of board members who were farmers or owners or operators of agribusinesses—supported a strategic move into ag lending in the 1980s and ’90s. “Things went a little faster than we had originally projected,” Jenks recalls. “So, our ag lending grew really well. We were careful, of course, in the credits we were taking on. That has worked very well for us.”

It’s a story of a community bank adapting to meet the needs of its customers and community, one that Jenks is happy to tell as chairman of ABA’s Government Relations Council. The story is nearly universal, reflective of America’s diverse banking system and a powerful way to connect the dots of political advocacy—both legislative and regulatory—for lawmakers and policymakers.

Think of Jenks’ term as the GRC chairman as a gigantic teachable moment.

“There is a teaching aspect to banking,” he says. “It’s wanting the student, or the consumer if you will, to fully understand what they’re asking for and what product best fits their needs. You have to enjoy working with people and you’re trying to help them make good decisions and be better informed.”

In Washington, and with political advocacy, education is also key: “It’s about what is important for legislators to understand about our banks—how banks fit in to our diverse economy,” says Jenks. “Banks are extremely important in getting the economy rolling and getting the economy going. Political engagement is a conversation. It’s about drawing that legislator out. What’s important for us should be important to their constituents. That’s why they are there.”

Security Savings is based in Illinois’ 17th congressional district, which includes the state’s half of the Quad Cities and is served by three-term Rep. Cheri Bustos (D). When Bustos—who currently serves on the House Agriculture Committee, was first elected in 2010, Jenks contacted her office and invited her to come visit the bank. She did, along with one of her staffers.

“Cheri was extremely open and receptive and asked some great questions,” says Jenks of that first visit. “The in-bank visit works. She’s always been available. When we call, she knows who we are. We don’t see eye to eye on every issue and we understand that. We just want to have that conversation.”

Those conversations and relationships are critical for the banking industry to advance its advocacy priorities (see The Time is Now) during the 115th Congress. Jenks is optimistic, but it’s up to bankers across the nation in every state and congressional district to take an active part in the industry’s political advocacy. “There are opportunities,” Jenks says, “but we have to be smart about how we go about it. It’s not wise for us to call for repeal of Dodd-Frank or the dismantling of the CFPB. We want to focus on the changes that can be made within those constructs to make banking more relevant. We’re being very positive in our approach. We know the election was a little different from what many people expected. We have an opportunity to pursue some things that might not have been there before.”

With that said, “We need to be engaged,” he emphaszies. One example, he adds: “We need to bring more people to Washington for our Government Relations Summit in March.”

Linda Koch, president and CEO of the Illinois Bankers Association, says Jenks leads by example in advocating for all banks. “Stan is the perfect choice to lead ABA’s Government Relations Council,” she says. “He is a very active and engaged member of our IBA Board of Directors, and we have appreciated his keen insight and expertise on the many important issues affecting the banking industry and the customers it serves. I’ve come to know him well through the years and truly value his thoughtful leadership and genuine concern for his community and the banking industry.”

As an ag lender—60 percent of Security Savings’ portfolio is in ag-related loans—Jenks also feels the pinch of the tax-advantaged competition from the Farm Credit System and the tilted playing field that needs to be corrected.

“Farm Credit is very strong in our community,” he says. “We have a lot of our customers who come to us and say they’ve been offered a low rate from Farm Credit. Many times we have to say ‘good for you’ because our customers can’t pass it up. At the end of the day, they’re running their business and they’ve got to make the best decision for their operation. Others are willing to overlook the Farm Credit advantage and stick with us.”

Jenks sees similarities between the farming community and the banking industry. “I liken farmers to bankers,” he says. “Farmers just want to farm, to grow food. That’s what they do. Farmers also have understood that they need to get out front and tell their story. I see that with bankers. We need to tell our story. We need to be engaged. We are the face of banking.”

In some respects, he adds, bankers need to overcome their innate politeness and reluctance to be perceived as bragging about what they do. “There is a right way to tell that story and explain that what we do is a good thing,” Jenks says.

“It’s important for us to be engaged and to protect our legacy and industry,” he adds. “No one else can do what we do. We are a part of our communities. That’s an important message and something that we need to continue to tell.”

ADVERTISEMENT
Tags: Dodd-FrankFarm Credit SystemRegulatory burden
ShareTweetPin1

Related Posts

ABA donates to Texas flood relief efforts, urges bankers to contribute

ABA donates to Texas flood relief efforts, urges bankers to contribute

Community Banking
July 10, 2025

ABA will donate $10,000 to Texas Bankers Foundation to assist with immediate disaster response and recovery following the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas.

Budget bill narrowly passes Senate, moves back to House

Breaking down the bank-related provisions in the big budget bill

ABA Banking Journal Podcast
July 10, 2025

Following the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, hear from ABA experts on how key ABA-supported provisions on tax policy, rural real estate and health savings accounts in the budget reconciliation law will affect banks.

Fed releases agenda for upcoming conference on large bank capital requirements

Fed seeks public input on large bank rating system revision

Compliance and Risk
July 10, 2025

The Federal Reserve requested comment on a proposal to revise its supervisory rating framework for large bank holding companies to address the "well managed" status of the firms.

Senate Banking Committee advances OCC, SEC nominations

Senate confirms Gould as comptroller of the currency

Newsbytes
July 10, 2025

The Senate voted to confirm Jonathan Gould as comptroller of the currency. He succeeds Rodney Hood, who is acting comptroller.

FDIC issues final special assessment to recover Deposit Insurance Fund losses

FDIC board to consider proposals on CRA, bank branches

Newsbytes
July 9, 2025

The FDIC board will hold an open meeting next week to consider several agenda items, including proposals on regulatory thresholds, the Community Reinvestment Act and bank branches.

FOMC minutes: Persistent inflation clouds path forward

FOMC minutes show divergence in opinion on tariff effects

Economy
July 9, 2025

Federal Open Market Committee members remain somewhat split on the long-term effects of the Trump administration’s tariff policy on inflation, according to the minutes.

NEWSBYTES

ABA donates to Texas flood relief efforts, urges bankers to contribute

July 10, 2025

Mortgage rates rise

July 10, 2025

Fed seeks public input on large bank rating system revision

July 10, 2025

SPONSORED CONTENT

Navigating Disruption in Ag Lending – Why Tariffs Are Just the Tip of the Iceberg

Navigating Disruption in Ag Lending – Why Tariffs Are Just the Tip of the Iceberg

July 1, 2025
AI Compliance and Regulation: What Financial Institutions Need to Know

Unlocking Deposit Growth: How Financial Institutions Can Activate Data for Precision Cross-Sell

June 1, 2025
Choosing the Right Account Opening Platform: 10 Key Considerations for Long-Term Success

Choosing the Right Account Opening Platform: 10 Key Considerations for Long-Term Success

April 25, 2025
Outsourcing: Getting to Go/No-Go

Outsourcing: Getting to Go/No-Go

April 5, 2025

PODCASTS

Breaking down the bank-related provisions in the big budget bill

July 10, 2025

Podcast: Inside ABA’s new Treasury Check Verification System API

June 25, 2025

Podcast: Staying close to clients amid tariff-driven volatility

June 18, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT

American Bankers Association
1333 New Hampshire Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
1-800-BANKERS (800-226-5377)
www.aba.com
About ABA
Privacy Policy
Contact ABA

ABA Banking Journal
About ABA Banking Journal
Media Kit
Advertising
Subscribe

© 2025 American Bankers Association. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Topics
    • Ag Banking
    • Commercial Lending
    • Community Banking
    • Compliance and Risk
    • Cybersecurity
    • Economy
    • Human Resources
    • Insurance
    • Legal
    • Mortgage
    • Mutual Funds
    • Payments
    • Policy
    • Retail and Marketing
    • Tax and Accounting
    • Technology
    • Wealth Management
  • Newsbytes
  • Podcasts
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Magazine Archive
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Podcast Archive
    • Sponsored Content Archive

© 2025 American Bankers Association. All rights reserved.