Inspiration can come from anywhere, but one of the best sources is our annual Banker of the Year” feature. Whether it’s UMB Financial’s J. Mariner Kemper, our 2025 Banker of the Year who followed up industry chatter over a spate of bank failures with a dramatic $2 billion acquisition; or our 2024 selection, Bryan Bruns of Lake Central Bank in Annandale, Minn., who sued the FDIC over unfair enforcement of overdrafts rules; or our 2023 selection, the duo from Green Bay, Wis. — Mike Daniels and Bob Atwell — who left a formidable regional bank to start their own, or our 2022 selection, Brenda Foster of First Western Bank & Trust of Minot, N.D., whose authenticity helped cultivate a culture of success around extraordinary service, I always learn from our honored bankers.
