2017 Rising Stars in Banking: Lori Keigher

If someone enters the banking industry with a desire for continuous learning, that person's landing spot may likely be the ever-changing field of compliance..Lori Keigher joined HomeStar Bank in 1997 as a teller and soon began supervising the loan processing department before becoming a loan processor herself. Without anyone at HomeStar specifically tasked to train new loan officers, Keigher eventually took on that responsibility as well. In 2011, when state bank examiners suggested to Manteno, Ill.-based HomeStar that it needed someone dedicated to compliance, Keigher was the obvious choice as lending compliance officer..NorthWestern Financial Review is honoring Keigher as a Rising Star in Banking for 2017, along with five other bankers.."She was always someone who wanted to continue to learn and be challenged," said Pat Martin, president of the $355 million bank. "When we hired her, we knew we'd have to keep her interested.".When Keigher heard of the examiners' request, she could understand the reasoning. Most of her day was already spent working through compliance. Making that her sole focus might simplify the task.."I actually enjoyed the compliance part of [lending]," she said. "The lending environment and regulatory environment have certainly been on a fast pace over the last six years, so I really needed to be able to devote a majority of my time to the regulatory side of it.".Keigher's thorough grasp of the recent influx of regulatory demands has given the HomeStar lenders some degree of comfort. If they have a question, they know who to ask. If they want to make a unique loan work, they know who to check with. They trust her judgment, knowing Keigher was once one of those loan officers working to satisfy customers.."Not all loans are cookie cutter," Martin said. "Every one is a little different. When there's something different, Lori is the first resource, and if she doesn't know, she knows the resource to get those answers back very quickly.".By now, Keigher's reputation for compliance expertise is well known, even outside the bank..Despite stiff competition from other banks, Keigher will help other lenders in the community, if necessary. When those other area lenders call Keigher looking for clarification on a rule or regulation, Keigher answers without hesitation.."Just out of basic courtesy, we have fielded some of those calls," Martin said. "We're kind of all in it together. It is cutthroat. We're all fishing in the same pond, but we want what's right for our community, as well.".To Keigher, answering those calls is second nature. Since leaving the retail field to join HomeStar two decades ago, rare has been the time she was not educating or training other employees. It makes sense when remembering Martin's primary concern when hiring Keigher: How would HomeStar keep her challenged and interested?.Well, once someone has mastered a topic, the next step is figuring out how to educate somebody else on it. Once an entire bank staff is up-to-speed, spreading that knowledge around the community is the logical next step..After all, Keigher grew up only seven miles away in Bourbonnais. She has a 16-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son and, in no small part because of them, Keigher has been on the Parks & Recreation Commission for 11 years. She certainly has a vested interest in the community as a whole. Helping other banks help the community only serves that purpose..With general tempered optimism regarding possible regulatory relief on a federal level, Keigher knows that would lead to changes. Keeping track of what piece of compliance still needs to be fulfilled and what piece can fall by the wayside would be a whole new challenge. It should keep her interested.."I am definitely holding onto my feet and trying to keep up."Other 2017 Rising Stars in Banking honorees include:Bob Southworth, HomeTown Bank, St. Peter, Minn.Tony Gudajtes, Choice Financial, Grafton, N.D.Jon King, Fidelity Bank & Trust, Oelwein, IowaBecky Miller, First Bank Financial Centre, Oconomowoc, Wis.Dan Maddox, Citizens State Bank, New Castle, Ind.