Employee Spotlight

Anita VanBooven – Loan Officer Spotlight

November 3, 2023

Anita VanBooven
In banking since 1992
(573) 381-0325
Rhineland Branch
NMLS# 585619

What is your favorite thing about working as a loan officer at a community bank?

My favorite aspect of being a loan officer at a community bank is definitely the opportunity to work closely with the people in our community and engage in meaningful conversations with them. As a community banker, we play a vital role in assisting a diverse range of individuals with their financial needs. One day, you could be helping a customer secure financing for purchasing farmland or recreational property, while the next day, you might assist someone in getting their first car, UTV, or fulfilling any other financial requirement. It’s fulfilling to be able to contribute to their needs and contribute to building a better community.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who is thinking about applying for a loan?

I would advise anyone considering a loan to start saving money for a down payment. Saving for a down payment not only reduces the loan amount but also leads to lower monthly payments. It’s a great way to set yourself up for a more manageable and successful loan experience.

What is your favorite thing about the community you serve?

I have a deep affection for the community we serve, especially in the way we address their financial needs. I have roots in this community, having grown up here, and working for a community bank allows us to enhance our customers’ quality of life. Whether it’s for their businesses or personal endeavors, we’re here to support them in building their dreams.

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

In my free time, I cherish moments spent with my family, including my children and eight grandchildren. We have a tight-knit family, and these moments are priceless. When I’m not with them, you can often find me engrossed in quilting and tending to my garden.

What is your favorite thing to cook?

I can’t really say that I have one favorite dish to cook, as I’ve prepared a wide variety of meals over the years. Growing up as one of eight siblings on a farm, I was accustomed to cooking and canning. It was a shared responsibility among the older siblings to prepare meals for our family, which often numbered ten but would occasionally include neighbors during the busy harvest and hay seasons. Now, I enjoy passing on my love for cooking and canning to my grandchildren. Some of them have even taken on these skills as 4-H projects, like canning and water bath processing or baking bread.

What is one thing you would like people to know about you that they might not know otherwise?

I’d like people to know that I grew up on a farm. In my childhood, we had a milk cow, as is common on farms. I have firsthand experience milking cows in both the mornings and evenings. On our farm, we also raised hogs from farrow to finish, and I had the opportunity to care for the little piglets, including tasks like clipping their teeth and docking their tails. We also raised chickens, both for eggs and for meat. So, it’s safe to say that I’m no stranger to farming tasks, from milking cows to processing poultry.

I’ve witnessed how a community bank can be a pillar of support for family farms through both prosperous and challenging times. My parents’ farming operation also grew with the assistance of our community bank. While the 1980s brought high interest rates and difficulties, they persevered with the support of our community bank, illustrating the valuable role it plays in our community’s economic landscape.