Midwest Bank’s roots date back three generations to 1952, when the Cooper family purchased The Farmer’s National Bank in Pilger, NE. The Cooper family’s philosophy of a family-owned, independently managed community bank model has proven successful over the past six decades, and today there are Midwest Bank branches in nine Nebraska communities with total assets exceeding $650,000,000. Midwest Bank prides itself on being a family of community banks that value personal business relationships, yet are a large enough organization to meet all types of financial needs for their clients. Travis Gunderson is Assistant Vice President of Mortgage Lending at Midwest Bank.
How did you get started in the business? – I’m a third generation banker and I thought it was the path I would always take. I graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University and have been in mortgage lending for over six years.
Tell us a little about your family. – My wife Ashley and I met at Wesleyan and she is a physician’s assistant at ENT Specialties, PC here in Lincoln. We have an 8-month-old son named Lofton. I tell people he has ‘ruined our life in the best possible way.’
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – If I’m by myself, I would like to be golfing anywhere. If I’m with my family, I would like to be kicking back with my wife and son and not worrying about anything.
What are you the most proud of? – Being a good father. I’m sure my mom and wife both were a little nervous before he was born.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Loyal.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Anything with sports. I miss being around athletes.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Warren Buffett. I would like to pick his brain about many different topics. Or Charles Barkley, simply to hear what kind of nonsense would come out of his mouth.
Which talent would you most like to have? – Memorization. With all the rules and regulations involved in mortgage, it’s almost impossible to remember everything without looking it up.
What is your favorite movie? – Dark Knight Rises. I’ve always liked the Batman movies.
What is your favorite TV show? – The Following, my wife and I must be sick and twisted.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – I like to eat too much; I don’t think I could choose one specific place.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – I can be reached by phone at (402) 420-0560, via email at tgunderson@midwestbank.com, or you can visit our website at midwestbank.com.