Ag banker extraordinaire

Northwestern Financial Review, Nov 1, 2001

Oliver Hansen's years of dedication to agricultural banking are being recognized this fall by his peers. On Sept. 17, the Iowa Bankers Association presented the Durant, Iowa banker with the James A. Leach Leadership Award for outstanding service to the financial services industry. On Nov. 13, the American Bankers Association Center for Agricultural and Rural Banking will present the Bruning Award to Hansen at the National Agricultural Bankers Conference in St. Louis. The award, named for Nebraska banker Frank Bruning, recognizes individuals who have dedicated their careers to providing credit and guidance to farmers, ranchers and fellow ag bankers.

Hansen, 81, has worked at the Liberty Trust & Savings Bank in Durant since he was discharged from the Second World War. "Ollie is an icon in Iowa banking," commented Don Carmody, chairman of the Leach Award nominating committee and CEO of the Henry County Bank in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. "Ollie has been in banking since 1946. He is a recognized leader in Durant, in Iowa and across our nation."

The recognition is based on a lifetime of achievement, including these highlights:

* Hansen was president of the Iowa Bankers Association from 1967-68. He was chairman of the IBA Legislative Committee and assisted with the drafting of the Iowa Banking Act of 1969. He was president of the Iowa Independent Bankers in 1985-86.

* Hansen was recognized by the Agricultural Council of Iowa State University for his contributions to the betterment of agriculture and named to its Hall of Fame. The Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture honored him for his outstanding service to agricultural science.

In 1971, Iowa Gov. Robert Ray named Hansen State Superintendent of Banking. The governor later appointed Hansen as a member and chairman of the Agricultural Promotion Board of the Iowa Development Commission.

* Hansen served as chairman of the ABA Agricultural and Rural Banker Committee in 1975. He also served on the ABA Banking Advisors Alumni Speakers Group, where he traveled around the United States meeting with journalists to discuss banking administration, agribusiness and community banking.

* In 1983, he was awarded the Centennial Angus Herd Award by the American Angus Association for having an Angus herd in continuous production for more than 50 years. He also was president and secretary of the Eastern Iowa Angus Association and managed the Eastern Iowa Angus Sale, as well as other Angus sales.

"He has done everything there is to do in banking and in his community," said IBA President John Sorensen. "As we look for examples of quality leadership in Iowa, Ollie is right on top and his efforts speak for themselves."

"Ollie Hansen is a special agricultural banker because he's also a farmer," commented John Blanchfield, director of ABA Center of Ag and Rural Banking. "He shares the same business challenges, opportunities and risks that farmers experience. Having been involved in cattle production since boyhood, he's even more focused on how the bank can work best with farmers."

Hansen's banking career began when he returned home from Korea as a First Lieutenant in the Army. He started out with the official title of cashier but he really did a little of everything. Hansen explained, "I did everything from filing taxes to working the window to making loans. I was as green as grass." Four years later, he was named executive vice president of the bank.

"Actually, banking tied in real well with my interest in livestock and farming," said Hansen, who has a bachelor of science degree in animal science from Iowa State University. "It was a country bank and the background and my degree fit in real well at the time. The entire bank was in agriculture."

Hansen was appointed president of the bank in 1965 and served in that position until 1986, when he stepped down following a heart attack suffered while testifying during a Senate hearing on behalf of the ABA. He has served as chairman of the board since 1978. Additionally, Hansen is chairman of Bennett State Bank, Bennett, Iowa and chairman and president of Liberty Bancorp in Durant.

Since boyhood, Hansen has been involved with 4-H and Angus cattle. He took over the family farm in 1952 and today the operation involves more than 600 acres of farmland with a herd of 100 purebred Angus cows. He is also involved with his wife's farms in Northeast Iowa.

"For 36 years, we've hosted a livestock judging contest for the 4-H and Future Farmers of America members in my backyard," Hansen commented. "This year, three of our heifers were shown at the Iowa State Fair. Two of the heifers won their class and the other heifer was third in the open class show."

"He has always been a real good teacher," noted Ron Hansen, Oliver's son who is president of Liberty Trust & Savings Bank. "He has never been a controlling father and he has been real good about standing back and being there for advice but not dictating how things are run."

Ron Hansen said his father distinguished himself with personal service. "Probably one of the most important things to him is the customer interaction," Ron Hansen said. "Being open and friendly to people, and making sure you say 'hello' to people in the bank."