Hart: Banker, Musician, Pastor
As vice president and market manager for Rolling Hills Bank & Trust, Benjamin Hart does more than ag banking. He is passionate about giving back to the community, particularly through financial literacy and fraud prevention education. Hart credits some of the best career advice he’s received to the reminder that banking is ultimately a people business — one built on relationships, not just transactions. Outside of work, he serves as a licensed pastor and has officiated more than 100 local weddings. He also performs throughout the Midwest with his band, Dirt Road Divide, where he sings and plays both guitar and piano. 
What’s something about your role people might not expect?
I am not only an ag banker, but I also specialize in home loans and enjoy doing community education projects, mostly around fraud prevention and teaching kids to save.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
Bank President Keith Honke said, “Place people before programs, get out of the office and spend time with your customers, because at the end of the day, we are in the people business.”
If you could wake up tomorrow with one extraordinary talent, what would you choose?
I would love to be a great wood worker and carpenter like my father is. Sadly, I learned how to hand him tools and carry heavy things, but missed the whole putting it all together part.
what’s an interesting or lesser-known fact about you?
I am a professional musician and play many instruments. I am also a licensed, educated pastor and have married over 100 couples in our area.
What do you do outside of work to recharge?
I play in an amazing band that travels most weekends called Dirt Road Divide. We play at festivals, county fairs and concert venues all over the Midwest. We play rock, country and everything in between. I sing and play guitar and piano.