Meet Mike Ulrich, CFO/chief lending officer at City Bank & Trust.
Tell us a little about your business. – City Bank & Trust (www.citybankandtrust.com) is a bank based out of Lincoln with a branch in Crete and a loan production office in Seward. We consider our bank to be a relationship-based bank which has local ownership. The bank is currently growing at a good pace which is due to our lending, retail, and mortgage departments implementing good banking products along with our great customer service.
How did you get started in the business? – I started in banking as a teller after I graduated from college. This allowed me to learn the basics of banking which allowed me to advance to the credit and lending area of the bank. I have been in banking a total of 30 years.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The biggest challenge for me is keeping up with bank technology and bank compliance. These two areas continue to change and evolve in the banking world.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – I assisted the ownership group that acquired City Bank & Trust three years ago. The transition has went well and I enjoy working with the City Bank employee group.
Tell us a little about your family. – My wife Ashley and I have two sons and two daughters. Will (18), Cece (16), Kemper (13) and Edie (10). My wife, Ashley, started her own small business which is healthcare marketing company. My oldest son, Will, is a freshman at Eastern Illinois and plays D1 tennis. Cece is a junior at Pius high school and is very active in tennis and golf. Kemper and Edie are also both active in tennis and attend St. Peters in Lincoln.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I enjoy going into Chicago and watching the Chicago Cubs play baseball. Our family also does an annual summer vacation to Snowmass, CO and the last couple of years we have started to also take in a skiing trip over winter break.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – This quote came from my dad: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I am from a farm background and have an agribusiness degree, so I would be interested in Ag Marketing and Ag Management.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – My family and I are involved with St. Peters Catholic Church and school. Also, Ashley and I are involved with the Woods Tennis Foundation.
What is your favorite movie? – Wall Street (1987).
What is your favorite TV show? – I enjoy watching the Food Network. I like to grill and cook, and I am always looking for new ideas.
What is your favorite local Lincoln restaurant? – I have a few—Valentino’s, Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill, and LeadBelly.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Warren Buffett.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 413-6583; mulrich@citybankandtrust.com; www.citybankandtrust.com.