Aug. 21, 2024

This paid piece is sponsored by Central Bank.

As he has begun his new role at Central Bank, Joe Gannon already has had plenty of experiences that confirm for him it’s a strong fit.

“We have amazing clients, and their relationship means everything. Being able to take care of them every day is what makes me excited to be here,” said Gannon, who began his role in June as senior vice president, Sioux Falls market president.

“As soon as I began talking with the team at Central Bank and they laid out their vision for Sioux Falls and South Dakota, I knew it was a great opportunity to come back to community banking.”

Gannon already has engaged with a variety of clients in his new role, addressing their unique and diverse needs. He has supported professionals looking to expand their practices, businesses needing assistance with international transactions and companies planning significant equipment upgrades. He also has worked with clients on real estate financing and business ownership transitions, highlighting the diverse range of lending offered at Central Bank.

A native of Ames, Iowa, Gannon spent the past 14 years in various roles at Wells Fargo & Co., most recently as the director and vice president of commercial banking covering South Dakota and western Minnesota. He began his career as an underwriter in business and ag banking, working with a wide range of clients such as manufacturers, investor real estate projects, feed lots, dairy farms and nonprofits. He later moved into business banking and finally commercial banking, where he worked with large corporations and investor groups.

“When I looked at what I wanted to do in the next stage of my career, this fit it,” Gannon said. “It’s the right culture and the right opportunity.”

“Joe’s extensive experience in commercial banking and his deep understanding of our community’s needs make him an invaluable addition to Central Bank,” said Nick Brown, president of the Sioux Falls region. “His commitment to building strong relationships with clients aligns perfectly with our values and vision for growth in Sioux Falls.”

Gannon leads a team of 76 people among three Sioux Falls branches and estimates that he already has met nearly all of them.

“We have a great group of people, and I think that’s what our clients enjoy and what our owners and leadership think banking is about,” he said.

“Our motto – ‘Make it happen’ – definitely resonates with me. A lot of businesses have mottos, but we really are family-owned with small-town roots and are dedicated to the communities we serve. We make decisions locally, and we can be fast and provide a level of expertise that allows our clients to make the best decisions.”

In his first months as market leader, “I’ve been impressed by how much expertise Central Bank has in town, from IT, operations, underwriters and all the other support functions to keep the doors open,” Gannon continued. “There’s a passion at Central Bank to help take care of customers, and we have the expertise to help customers and business owners through any stage of growth.”

The mortgage, personal banking, lending and treasury management capabilities are impressive, he added.

“And that’s been the case for a long time,” Gannon said. “I’ve been aware of Central Bank’s reputation from competing against them years ago in Sioux City. They’ve always been a very robust bank and had strong bonds with their customers.”

As a member of the leadership team, Gannon succeeds Hank McCall in his new role, who has been promoted to regional vice president. Nick Brown remains president of the Sioux Falls region.

“Hank and I worked together at Wells Fargo in business banking for eight years, so I’m glad to be working together again, along with the rest of our leadership team,” Gannon said. “Nick Brown offices at Western Avenue with us, and our owners, Tim and John Brown, are highly involved.”

The bank has enjoyed rapid growth, including in the Sioux Falls market with the acquisition of MetaBank’s community bank operation, and “we’re in discussions about our growth plan and what our next steps could be,” Gannon said.

“It’s an exciting time to be here, but while we might have long-term goals, what matters is taking care of every customer that walks in the door, providing a high level of customer service and establishing a level of trust as their banking partner.”

Every customer interaction represents a unique chance to make someone’s day better, he added.

“Every phone call, teller line interaction or meeting matters,” he said. “The best part of my day is meeting with our customers, and I look forward to doing my part to continue the success Central Bank has had.”

Looking to join the team? Central Bank has ongoing opportunities, including one immediate opening at its West 12th Street location in Sioux Falls. Click here to learn more and apply.