Community banking is all about relationships, and not just with clients, but also between associates. With a solid associate foundation, Heartland Bank touts a family atmosphere and for good reason – associates find their place, are willing to go above-and-beyond and give their appreciation back in ways that are priceless to the bank. Matt Bucklew is one associate who will honestly admit that Heartland Bank changed his career path and even changed his life path.
Matt started his Heartland career in 2016. “My first job at Heartland Bank was as a member of the then “float teller pool” which I loved but learned very quickly that I was the worst teller in Heartland history. Hats off to Heartland’s current client service representatives because that is challenging work, and I commend them. I quickly transitioned to commercial processing upon my graduation from THE Ohio State University and from there, joined the Agribusiness Department as a banking assistant. The rest, as they say, is history,” said Matt.
Currently an agribusiness banker – team lead, Matt assists with managing the Ag Team while originating and closing loans for his own pipeline. He does the hiring for the team, coaching and developing of the new and current team members, and also allots time to provide exceptional service to his current portfolio clients. Matt admitted, “My team makes me look really good, and I am forever thankful and grateful for each and every one of them that I work with!”
Creating close team relationships is just as important to Matt as creating exceptional client relationships. He understands that Heartland is committed to ensuring that relationships matter. “Heartland Bank is a relationship bank. We take pride, and I take pride, in offering sound, well thought out, beneficial, financial advice and options to help clients grow and achieve their personal and business goals. We walk the walk when giving back to our communities by volunteering our time, money and voice throughout Ohio and Northern Kentucky,” said Matt.
When asked what he was most proud of at Heartland Bank, Matt replied, “I am immensely proud of this bank and what we have achieved since May of 2016 (my hire date). I was extremely fortunate to have great leaders and mentors before me that opened doors for me and helped pick me up when I messed things up, which happens more than I’d like to admit - just ask Vickie Swartz, Darby Lasure and Angelena Wenman who always keep me organized and on track. I have had a number of successes while working here, but the thing I am most proud of is being a part of, and helping manage, the Electronic-Transaction team for the PPP loan program during the early and middle part of 2020. These were some of the longest hours and most stressful/changing times of my professional career. I was working long days and nights with my team (Dan Miller, Tyler Hurley, Greg Woodward, Jeremy “Batman” Reeves, Anita Pryor, and many others) to help Heartland clients in a time of need. All total, we closed over $199 million in PPP loans in 2020 and 2021. The feedback that we received from our clients, sometimes in tears, was so fulfilling. I will remember this experience for the rest of my life.”
Matt is no stranger to adjusting, meeting challenges and working through new situations. “As a Military child, I moved around a lot. I never started a grade and finished a grade in the same school until I was a ninth grader. I finally stopped moving when my parents settled in Canton, Ohio, and I attended Canton McKinley High School for three years (skipping my 11th grade year entirely).” Matt also enlisted in the Air Force after high school graduation in 1998. As an aircraft pneumatics mechanic, he was stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Matt was assigned to the C5 Galaxy airframe (the largest cargo plane) and after training, went on multiple deployments on every continent except Antarctica. He was a member of the base Honor Guard (marching in the presidential inaugural parade for President Bush) and after his 3-year mark, Matt cross-trained to be a flight engineer on the same C5 Galaxy until the end of his enlistment in 2006. These experiences helped to shape Matt’s personality and taught him to adapt to change.
When asked about his goals for the future, Matt responded, “My future, professional goals include building out a team of well-trained, highly motivated, super Ag bankers that love their jobs as much as I do, being an asset to the bank and providing stellar customer service for our borrowers long into the future, and finally, I have a goal to also be a decision maker for the bank.” With this type of goal list, some might assume he doesn’t have a family or any personal time.
He does have a family though, and currently lives in Knox County on a 56-acre gentleman’s farm with his beautiful wife, Kailyn (also of Heartland Bank), soon to be daughter, Piper, three dogs, cats and chickens. For his personal goals, “I want to be the best possible father to my daughter, husband to my wife, son to my parents (both sets) and brother to my siblings. I also have a small bucket list that includes a pilot’s license, scuba certification and solo skydiving.” Matt additionally has a few outside-the-bank interests including hiking, good movies and a glass of bourbon.
Are you looking for a banker that is devoted to the community bank culture? Contact any of our 18 branch locations to speak to a banker that just might change your financial path!