Key role filled for TS Bank’s Ames expansion plans
January 13, 2023
Ames, IA – TS Bank has hired Kelli Hecker who will serve as branch manager for its new full service-branch coming to Ames, Iowa with a soft opening set for April 1 and a grand opening celebration planned for later this fall.
As Branch Manager, Hecker will ensure TS Bank is delivering on its promise by providing excellent service to clients and prioritizing community involvement with our team. She has an AA in Business Administration from Hawkeye Community College along with a BS in Marketing from Iowa State University. She most recently served as a Branch Manager at Wells Fargo in Ames, Iowa receiving the Golden Spoke Award in 2019. She has over 15 years of banking experience including additional various roles as teller, banker, service manager and assistant branch manager.
TS Bank began exploring expanding to Ames in early 2019, ultimately purchasing the former Great Southern Bank location at 402 Lincoln Way which opened as a loan production office in June of 2020. Since then, TS Bank has seen significant engagement with the community resulting in loan growth throughout Central Iowa.
Hecker grew up in Buffalo Center and now lives outside of Radcliffe, Iowa with her husband Verne, dog Hank and beloved cats. She has served as a committee member and treasurer for Hamilton County National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) along with volunteering with the Special Olympics of Iowa, Meals from the Heartland, Beacon of Hope, Sole Hope and United Way of Story County.
“From my first conversation with TS Bank, I knew it was where I was meant to be. Their mission aligns with my passion to provide our clients with the best client service and I love their focus on community involvement and reinvesting in the communities they are involved in,” said Branch Manager, Hecker. “I am so excited for the opportunity to bring TS Bank to Ames!”
In Hecker’s free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with family and friends, being involved with her family’s church and attending Iowa State athletic events.
“We are excited to add Kelli to the team, she brings a wealth of banking, coaching and client service knowledge, and are looking forward to seeing her help grow our presence in the Ames Market,” said Vice President of Personal Banking, Lacey Sampson.
With plans to open April 1, TS Bank is immediately hiring two universal banker positions to join the growing team. Learn more about these positions on TS Bank’s careers page. Branch hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The location’s drive-thru was functional beginning in the fall of last year when a Video ATM was installed in lane two. When using the ATM with video functionality, you can do more than on a regular ATM including deposits, withdrawals, payments, transfers between accounts and other tasks you can do when coming in the lobby or calling on the phone. The building has also had an interior remodel including a new teller line and branch area, new carpeting, lighting, furniture along with the addition of three new offices on the main floor. New landscaping went in last fall as well.
The bank plans to host a grand opening celebration at in Ames later this year in conjunction with celebrating TS Bank’s 100 years as a community bank. TS Bank was granted its original charter in May 1923. Plans for this celebration are forth coming.
Expanding to the Ames market provides TS Bank with a central Iowa location to assist in expansion across Iowa. This venture will allow TS Bank to serve clients and grow loans, deposits, investment and wealth management clients in the central Iowa corridor.
With $390 million in assets and eight locations in southwest Iowa, TS Bank specializes in consumer, business and ag banking along with cash management services for businesses. Much more than a bank, clients also have access to tax and payroll services in addition to investment, retirement and estate planning services offered by its trust division, branded TS Prosperity Group. The trust division oversees $257 million in assets under management (AUM) and is the largest C-Corp trust department west of Des Moines.
TS Bank is part of TS Banking Group, which also includes The Bank of Tioga (N.D.), with banking assets of $341 million and First National Bank (Ill.) with banking assets of $408 million. TS Banking Group is headquartered in Treynor, Iowa, that is located in the Omaha, Neb. MSA.
To reach Kelli Hecker, contact her at 844-487-3030 or via email at kelli.hecker@tsbank.com. Those interested in opening a TS Bank deposit account from anywhere within the state of Iowa, can apply for an account online via the “Connect Now” button on tsbank.com.
About TS Bank: TS Bank’s mission is to Ignite Prosperity® in the communities it serves. Creating long-term community prosperity, TS Bank reinvests 10 percent of its net income locally; hosting educational events and partners with local organizations and non-profits. TS Bank was chartered in 1923 and has $390 million in assets, along with the largest Iowa state-chartered C-Corp trust department west of Des Moines at nearly $257 million in assets named TS Prosperity Group. Locations include Treynor, Macedonia, Council Bluffs, Atlantic, Corning and Ames, Iowa. For more information, visit tsbank.com. EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled.
This article was updated on 03/01/2023.