Lawyer turned banker pilots de novo upward

Northwestern Financial Review, Jun 15-Jun 30, 2003 by Dullum, Justin

John DeDoncker had never actually worked at a bank before he became president and chief operating officer of a de novo bank two years ago. His career as a lawyer prepared him well, however, as THE National Bank, Bettendorf, Iowa, has grown to $270 million in assets.

As a partner in one of Iowa's largest law firms, Lane & Waterman, DeDoncker, a 2003 North [middot] Western Financial Review Rising Star, represented banks and bank holding companies in regulatory matters, operations, branch purchases and assumption transactions and commercial lending. "The law background has been an advantage in some ways," DeDoncker said. "I've seen the banking business from a lot of different angles."

Under DeDoncker's leadership, THE National Bank came out of the gate running. The first move was to merge with First Illinois National Bank in Savanna, Ill. The acquisition allowed the new bank to tap into First Illinois' 70-year history, four locations and $95 million in deposits. Since then, the bank has increased its Illinois presence with a new office in Moline.

"We plan to keep growing in both Illinois and Iowa and we have great expectations for the future," said DeDoncker, whose bank will open a full-service branch in Davenport, Iowa, this fall.

The new bank posted healthy numbers for the first quarter, generating $672,522 in net income. Deposits stood at $215 million while loans were at $208 million. The bank reported a return on assets in excess of 1 percent.

"I've been surrounded by great people," said DeDoncker. "We've had some success and coming from the legal world, I've been able to rely on these people and their expertise. This bank has been the effort of many talented people."

The decision to make the transition from lawyer to banker wasn't difficult when the time came. DeDoncker said he had thought often about such a move and the considerable expertise in bank operations he'd amassed as a lawyer left him with little doubt as to his ability to run a bank although there was one facet of operation he'd had no real experience with.

"I've never directly managed the employment of this many people," DeDoncker said. "It's been one of the most challenging parts. I'd advised many banks on how to handle things like the termination of employees. But when you're actually the guy on the other side of the desk making these decisions, it's a whole different feeling. Thankfully, we haven't had much turnover."

Although DeDoncker is a newcomer to human resources, he's getting high marks from those around him.

"John facilitates a great open door policy," said Mary Kellenberger, who works with DeDoncker at the bank. "He never overlooks the importance of recognizing individual achievements. He does this personally through company-wide emails or newsletters. He recognizes not only contributions to the business but their outside volunteer efforts as well."

When DeDoncker, 38, isn't meeting the obligations of his busy professional calendar, he serves on the boards of the Quad City United Way and the Quad City Hockey Association and Sports Center. He has helped organize several National Kidney Foundation Golf Tournaments and D.A.R.E. Golf Tournaments.

He has a particular interest in sponsoring youth hockey teams, not only for the benefit of his community, but his two young sons.

"I married into a hockey family," said DeDoncker. "My sons practically started skating before they could walk."

DeDoncker himself is a runner. "He exhibits a healthy dedication to family life as well as personal health and exercise," said Kellenberger.

THE National Bank started sponsoring the Quad City Marathon last September. DeDoncker finished the 26.2-mile course in three hours and 54 minutes. Before the race, the longest distance he had run was 12 miles. "It would have been a little embarrassing for the sponsoring bank's president to have dropped out mid-race, so I'm rather proud of the accomplishment," said DeDoncker.