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The Essence of Community Banking

In early 1945 the community of Stuart was without a bank. A small group of area business members worked together to attract a qualified banker and provide capital in order to apply for a new bank charter. At the recommendation of then Governor Dwight Griswold, the group partnered with Rushville Banker-Attorney Joseph G. Brewster and his wife Vera to own and manage the newly formed institution, The Tri-County Bank.

TCB was built on a strong "community" foundation from the very start and a special thanks and honor go to our original "Pioneers" that include JD Cronin, HW Gallegher, Nate Crowell, TE McGuire, WM Krotter Company, Robert Chittick, and Dr. FJ Clark.

The TCB Family-Community

Donald and Sally (Brewster) Schmaderer returned to the area in 1967 to manage both the bank and the local insurance agency. They purchased the bank from Founders Joe and Vera Brewster through the Tri-County Holding Company in 1979 to successfully transition to the second generation of family-community banking. 

The bank continues through its second generation today with Donald (Board Chairman) and Janet Brewster (Executive Secretary). Generation three includes Jon Schmaderer (President & CEO), Jennifer Schmaderer (Brand Manager), and Nancy (Schmaderer) Steinhauser (Chief Risk Officer). 

Fourth generation bankers include Joel M. Steinhauser (Chief Operating Officer), Tate Schmaderer (Ag & Business Banker), and Claire Steinhauser (Operations Assistant).  Taya Schmaderer serves as a part-time Customer Service Representative.  The current board of directors expands our family-community essence and includes Craig Brewster, John Madsen, Bryan Rentschler, Brad Philson, Nancy Steinhauser, Donald Schmaderer, and Jon Schmaderer.      

Growing Communities

The bank continued to grow and expand, along with the area. In the late 1960s center pivot irrigation made an incredible impact to local producers and communities. Following this great expansion, the area experienced the agricultural crisis of the 1980s, which left its mark on much of rural Nebraska well beyond that timeframe. TCB weathered the storm by remaining focused on family values and sound business practices.

Following this crisis, TCB turned its attention to developing products and services that would make a positive economic impact on the region. The bank partnered with groups such as Farm Service Agency, Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, Federal Home Loan Bank, US Department of Agriculture, and the Small Business Administration to create a value we could not offer on our own. The bank remains committed to that process today. We understand that great partners are essential in making "real" and "positive" economic impact to our clients.

Technology has allowed TCB to leverage our products and services to the greater community. We take great pride in being able to service our local communities from anywhere in the world and to remain well connected with former residents. Our regional ag producers and businesses are also able to grow and expand within a broader market and therefore become more competitive in our global economy.

The bank has also leveraged with its industry partners such as the Nebraska Independent Community Bankers (NICB), Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), and the Nebraska Bankers Association (NBA). Don Schmaderer (1996) and Jon Schmaderer (2012-2014) served as Chairman of the NICB. These partnerships are critical in providing the resources that TCB needs to best serve our clients and communities.

TCB Time-Line

November 17, 1945 – The bank started this historic day with $40,000 in capital and ended the day attracting just over $110,000 in new deposits. Asset size after day one was $153,025.

1946 – At the first annual board meeting held in January, the bank agreed to purchase the Criss-Nelson Insurance Agency and began offering insurance services.

1978 – June 30th 1978, just before the transition to its second generation, Donald and Sally Schmaderer, the bank had $8,605,750 in assets.

1985 – TCB's 40th anniversary and at the height of the agriculture crisis - the bank's asset holdings as of December 31, 1985 was $18,743,000.

1994 – TCB begins offering long term fixed-rate home mortgage services to help assist local communities in retaining and attracting existing and new people to the area.

1995 – TCB's 50th Anniversary. As of December 31, 1995 the bank's asset size was $30,317,000.

1996 – The bank begins offering retail investment services (non-FDIC insured) under the trade name, Tri-County Financial Center.

1998 – TCB's First Loan Production Office (LPO) opens in Newport, Nebraska along with a drive-thru ATM.

1998 – TCB awarded the prestigious Governors Arts Award for outstanding leadership and support of local Arts Councils.

1999 – TCB award the Small Business Administration’s “Heartbeat Bank Award” for outstanding leadership in support of local communities in North Central Nebraska.

2000 - TCB offers a full-service drive-thru ATM in Atkinson.

2000 - TCB purchases a banking facility in Bassett, Nebraska from First National Bank in Ainsworth. The bank starts operating as the Bassett LPO and Tri-County Insurance Agency.

2003 – The bank purchases the Hasch-Weber Agency in Bassett, Nebraska and expands its insurance agency within the Bassett LPO. The Bassett location primarily serves Rock, Brown, and Keya Paha counties.

2005 – December 31, 2005 the bank's asset size was $49,944,000.

2005 – New branch banking laws in Nebraska allow for TCB's first full-service branch to open at 807 E. Ash St. Atkinson, NE thereby becoming TCB-Atkinson.

2008 – The Bassett LPO is converted to full-service banking to become TCB-Bassett.

2010 – The bank purchases the former TierOne Bank building in O'Neill.

2011 – The bank retires The Tri-County Insurance Agency and Tri-County Financial Center trade names and now markets its non-traditional products and services through its new affiliate named Community Wealth Specialists, LLC.

2011 – The bank expands its Community Wealth Specialists, LLC office to TCB-O'Neill.

2013 – TCB retires the LPO service in Newport.

2013 – On August 5, 2013 the O'Neill LPO converts to full-service banking and becomes TCB-O'Neill.

2013 – December 31, 2013 the bank's asset size is $96,572,000.

2014 – The bank introduces "Kasasa" rewards checking program.

2015 – TCB – Atkinson awarded the Atkinson Chamber of Commerce “Above and Beyond” award for outstanding support of the local Chamber.

2016 – TCB awarded O’Neill FFA’s Honorary Chapter Degree for its high level and continuous support of the Chapter.

2016 – September 30, 2016 the bank’s asset size is $103,769,000

2017 – Introduced Remote Deposit Capture technology to our retail and business customers

2018 – September 30, 2018 the banks’ asset size is $126,198,000

2019 – Bank receives Federal Home Loan Bank’s prestigious Community Leader Award

2020 – September 30, 2020 the bank’s asset size $164,612,000 with loans of $110,119,000 and deposits of $146,088,000.

Our History-Your Future

Our unique history is the basis for an exciting future. You see, a bank built by the community, for the community is different. It's a bright future for rural America and we understand our responsibility to you and to your community. That's why we are dedicated to "Building your future...together."

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