2015 Rising Stars in Banking: Amanda Fanning

Leaving the family profession of banking behind – albeit briefly – paradoxically turned out to be better for Amanda Fanning and Adams Bank & Trust, Ogallala, Neb..Although the $639 million bank has been family-owned and operated for four generations, Fanning decided to pursue a career in accounting. "Banking was always in the back of my mind, but I ended up rebelling a bit and becoming a CPA," she said. "I'm a numbers person through and through.".NorthWestern Financial Review is honoring Fanning as a Rising Star in Banking for 2015, along with six other bankers..Fanning worked at KPMG's St. Louis and Omaha offices for six years. Then her thoughts turned back to banking for a variety of reasons, including her hour-long commute at the time. "I told myself that if I ever reached the point where I wasn't having fun and wouldn't work for free, it was time to change," she said. "I reached that point with public accounting, but I would do banking for free.".The move back to the bank came at an opportune time for the bank as well as for Fanning. A few months after her return, the bank crossed the $500 million threshold and its regulatory requirements went from a directors' report to a full-scale audit.."It was a good time personally to move and the bank had a need, so that smoothed out the transition," Fanning said. "I took the first few months to really dig into the financials of the bank. I was a little familiar, but I wanted to really wade in and get to know the bank as well as I could. About when I finished that review was when we crossed the threshold – it was really good timing.".Fanning focused on the bank's tax report while also joining the strategy group as the bank grew and evolved and expanded into Kansas. Now, she's setting her sights on the next benchmark — improving the bank's structure and positioning it to cross the $1 billion threshold in the coming years.."It's been fun going from filing the expense checks as a high schooler to being the chief financial officer and continuing to move us forward with new technology," Fanning said. "I use the word 'excited' a lot, but I really am very invested in where banking is going to go in the next five years.".That commitment to guiding the development of the banking industry has led Fanning to serve on the government relations committee of the Nebraska Bankers Association. "She's been key there, not just because the CPA background helps, but also because she understands what's important to the wider banking community," said NBA President Richard Baier. "Couple that with working in other states, and she has a nice background and solid set of experiences that makes her a true asset to the committee.".Fanning first came to Baier's attention during her time in the NBA leadership program, from which she graduated last year. Baier was teaching a class on community and economic development, and Fanning's attention to detail and investment in the class impressed him. "The program has a plethora of great bankers, but she asked a lot of great questions about how to build community and how the bank could contribute to that," he said..Besides taking classes throNebraska banker fosters growth with accounting skills.Leaving the family profession of banking behind – albeit briefly – paradoxically turned out to be better for Amanda Fanning and Adams Bank & Trust, Ogallala, Neb..Although the $639 million bank has been family-owned and operated for four generations, Fanning decided to pursue a career in accounting. "Banking was always in the back of my mind, but I ended up rebelling a bit and becoming a CPA," she said. "I'm a numbers person through and through.".NorthWestern Financial Review is honoring Fanning as a Rising Star in Banking for 2015, along with six other bankers..Fanning worked at KPMG's St. Louis and Omaha offices for six years. Then her thoughts turned back to banking for a variety of reasons, including her hour-long commute at the time. "I told myself that if I ever reached the point where I wasn't having fun and wouldn't work for free, it was time to change," she said. "I reached that point with public accounting, but I would do banking for free.".The move back to the bank came at an opportune time for the bank as well as for Fanning. A few months after her return, the bank crossed the $500 million threshold and its regulatory requirements went from a directors' report to a full-scale audit.."It was a good time personally to move and the bank had a need, so that smoothed out the transition," Fanning said. "I took the first few months to really dig into the financials of the bank. I was a little familiar, but I wanted to really wade in and get to know the bank as well as I could. About when I finished that review was when we crossed the threshold – it was really good timing.".Fanning focused on the bank's tax report while also joining the strategy group as the bank grew and evolved and expanded into Kansas. Now, she's setting her sights on the next benchmark — improving the bank's structure and positioning it to cross the $1 billion threshold in the coming years.."It's been fun going from filing the expense checks as a high schooler to being the chief financial officer and continuing to move us forward with new technology," Fanning said. "I use the word 'excited' a lot, but I really am very invested in where banking is going to go in the next five years.".That commitment to guiding the development of the banking industry has led Fanning to serve on the government relations committee of the Nebraska Bankers Association. "She's been key there, not just because the CPA background helps, but also because she understands what's important to the wider banking community," said NBA President Richard Baier. "Couple that with working in other states, and she has a nice background and solid set of experiences that makes her a true asset to the committee.".Fanning first came to Baier's attention during her time in the NBA leadership program, from which she graduated last year. Baier was teaching a class on community and economic development, and Fanning's attention to detail and investment in the class impressed him. "The program has a plethora of great bankers, but she asked a lot of great questions about how to build community and how the bank could contribute to that," he said..Besides taking classes through the program, Fanning also traveled to Washington, D.C., and recently turned her sights to a graduate degree in banking. "You absolutely have to stay involved in the banking industry," she said. "It's changing fast, and it can be scary and exciting and sometimes both, but you do need to be involved.".Fanning's skills and dedication to banking will be invaluable to the industry in the near future, Baier said. "I see her being involved in the board and other leadership positions," he said. "When we look across the state, she is exactly the kind of person we want to bring in and groom for a position of authority in the organization.".By Mara Gawareckivugh the program, Fanning also traveled to Washington, D.C., and recently turned her sights to a graduate degree in banking. "You absolutely have to stay involved in the banking industry," she said. "It's changing fast, and it can be scary and exciting and sometimes both, but you do need to be involved.".Fanning's skills and dedication to banking will be invaluable to the industry in the near future, Baier said. "I see her being involved in the board and other leadership positions," he said. "When we look across the state, she is exactly the kind of person we want to bring in and groom for a position of authority in the organization.".By Mara Gawarecki