Rising Stars 2024: Brian Nelson

Brian Nelson is the vice president of commercial lending for Mankato, Minn.-based BankVista. His job description, however, only scratches the surface of the impact he's making both at his bank and in Greater Mankato — through empathy and open communication. .A 2024 BankBeat magazine "Rising Star in Banking," Nelson is a respected lender helping clients across multiple industries including construction, transportation, and in residential and commercial developments. He's assisted with small business acquisitions, expansions and change-of-ownership transitions over the last eight years, and has produced consistently with SBA originations..Though Nelson, 34, is based in Mankato, his territory isn't strictly defined, and he sometimes travels or interacts remotely with customers based in the Twin Cities suburbs as well as Greater Minnesota. While he doesn't have any direct reports, employees still respect his expertise enough to seek his guidance on lending decisions. "We can be nimble and be very flexible, but we still have our standards and our guidance," he added. .A native of the southern Wisconsin city of Watertown, Nelson attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he met his wife, Alyssa. Nelson stayed in the area until he graduated from college in 2012, finding work with small equipment and leasing company Summit Commercial Finance. .Looking to move closer to his wife, who at the time was a law student in St. Paul, Minn., Nelson moved to the Twin Cities and took a job with Wells Fargo Auto Finance. Nelson, a Wells Fargo outbound sales supervisor from 2013-15, enjoyed his role but sought a smaller-town environment. His goal was realized after his wife accepted a position at a Mankato-based law firm. .Nelson was hired by the $582 million BankVista in 2015. He immediately noticed his new role afforded him the chance to make a more direct impact on the local community. "I loved that you knew who you were working for, you knew the board, you knew the leadership," he noted..The couple now have two sons: Corbin (3) and Braden (8 months). When Nelson is not working, you can find him hanging out at the lake, working on his property, or playing with his boys. "One of my greatest joys in life is seeing my kids smile and have fun. We do everything we can to create as many memories with them as possible.".Nelson has taken it upon himself to benefit the Mankato community over the past eight years. He consistently advocates for Habitat for Humanity projects, and has coordinated a rotation for BankVista to volunteer at a local food shelf, noted Mankato Market President Christina Bohlke. BankVista employees are afforded 32 hours of volunteering time every year. .Bohlke knows Nelson as a banker who makes empathetic and smart decisions. Nelson also provides a valuable perspective as a commercial lender as other BankVista lenders specialize in SBA and conventional lending. ."He's a very responsible and well-rounded individual," Bohlke said. ."Brian is respected by all of our senior level leaders and employees because of his conduct," Bohlke added. "He consistently shows up, is genuine and consistently performs at a high level." .Nelson practices the Golden Rule, and he treats his lending decisions personally: "Whether it is a brand-new business owner requesting their first commercial loan or an established business owner, I want our customers to know that their time is valuable and that we want to help them.".That desire to give back comes from his upbringing observing his father. A pastor in the Moravian church, Nelson's father visited church members in their homes when they were homebound. That service to the community throughout all stages of life set an example for Nelson which he strives to follow to this day.."If your customer thinks and knows you understand their business and have their best interest in mind, they are going to want to work with you," he noted..Nelson has an understated view of himself, and he describes his professional strengths as stemming from his personability rather than an innate knowledge of banking. "I don't feel I am a flashy or an over-the-top confident person," Nelson noted. "I feel I am approachable. I've always been able to get along and relate with everyone.".Nelson's self-assessment is echoed by BankVista Marketing Coordinator Saasha Peterson. "One of Brian's most remarkable qualities is his unparalleled ability to communicate effectively with his clients," she said. "He invests more time in client communication than anyone I have ever encountered in my banking career. Brian's exceptional listening skills allow him to grasp the most salient points of his clients' needs, enabling him to make informed decisions and provide valuable advice. As a result, Brian has cultivated a loyal client base who genuinely feel heard and valued, a testament to his dedication and professionalism."