Badje: Lending With Grit and Growth
Guided by her dad’s motto of “figure it out,” Carolyn Badje brings a sense of curiosity and determination to her role as assistant vice president and loan officer at Farmers Trust & Savings Bank. She works across consumer, real estate, commercial and agricultural lending, and embraces the variety each day brings. When she’s not at work, Badje is spending time with her family on their own farm, encouraging her sons’ imaginations, and instilling the value of hard work. In the summer, you’ll find her in the rodeo arena participating in breakaway roping alongside her husband who team ropes.
What’s something about your role people might not expect?
One thing people might not expect about my role is the variety it involves. I don’t just specialize in one area. I work across consumer, real estate, commercial and agricultural lending. That means every day looks different, and I get to support a wide range of clients with diverse financial needs. This experience has allowed me to view lending from multiple perspectives and learn from many unique situations.
what’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received came from my dad, whose motto growing up was “figure it out.” While it may sound blunt, it has played a big role in getting me to where I am today. It taught me to be willing to try new things, use the resources available to me, and do my best in every situation. At the same time, it reminds me to stay humble, ask for help when needed, and treat everyone with respect, because you never know what you can learn from those around you.
What’s an event or iowa tradition you look forward to every year?
The Iowa State Fair is something I look forward to every year. Having grown up showing livestock there, it brings back a lot of great memories. I love going back to catch up with old friends, enjoy the traditional fair food, and experience the atmosphere all over again.
what’s an interesting or lesser-known fact about you?
We spend our summers traveling across Iowa for rodeos, where I compete in breakaway roping and my husband team ropes. Rodeo has played a significant role in shaping who I am today. From my time on the rodeo team at Texas A&M University–Commerce, to competing at many different levels, I have had the opportunity to see many neat places, build lasting connections, and form lifelong friendships.
What do you do outside of work to recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family on our farm. I love seeing our boys use their imagination and create their own fun out on our acreage. Raising them around livestock and teaching them the value of hard work is incredibly important to me. It is especially rewarding to watch the full cycle on the farm each year, from growing and harvesting crops to calving and watching their babies grow.