Banking Gives Metzger Alternative to the Fields
Although Evan Metzger grew up on his family’s farm, he found himself wanting to work in an office instead of the fields. “I really liked working in the office with accrual accounting and analyzing data from profit centers,” he said. “Much of my experience on the farm has helped in my role as an agricultural loan officer.”
Metzger, a graduate of South Dakota State University, has been with Frontier Bank since 2019 and currently holds the role of agricultural/commercial loan officer. His responsibilities include managing a portfolio of agriculture, commercial and consumer loans. He values being a good listener whether at work or outside work and says he tries to listen to the details to better understand people and their situations in his community.
What drove you to choose a career in banking?
I grew up on my family dairy, swine and row crop operation and worked with my family for several years after college. During my time on the farm, I worked in various roles and found that I really liked working in the office with accrual accounting and analyzing data from profit centers. The financial analysis helped the farm make solid decisions based off those numbers to help drive the success of the operation. Much of my experience on the farm has helped in my role as an agricultural loan officer. My understanding of agriculture and past experiences over the years has helped me offer more than just a lender relationship to the clients in my community.
What is one lesson working in the banking industry has taught you, and how do you apply it to your everyday life?
Being a good listener. The first thing a client wants to do when they come into my office is ask questions or talk about their operation. To understand their operation or their respective loan request, I need to listen to the details so I can understand their situation. I respect client concerns, questions and opinions of those of co-workers who have more experience than I do. Listening to past experiences or situations from co-workers and clients has helped me not only as a banker but in my personal life as well.
What is your best elevator pitch for why banking is a great career?
Banking is a great career because of the relationships you develop each day with clients within your community. If you are willing to be trusted and offer more than what the client is looking for, then they will be a client of yours for generations. Banking offers so much variety with all the different types of people you work with each day. The most rewarding part is helping clients achieve their goals. It is humbling to serve and help people within your community grow and prosper for the betterment of their respective business, family or personal needs.
How does getting involved with the Iowa Bankers Association help you and your bank?
One thing I’ve learned in life is to never stop learning. IBA offers many training courses throughout the year to anyone who works within the banking industry to further strengthen their knowledge in their respective areas of interest. I personally have attended the Ag Credit School over the past two years and soon will be attending the Iowa School of Banking that is offered by IBA. The Ag Credit School has helped me expand my knowledge of agriculture-related issues that affect the clients I serve. The Iowa School of Banking will help strengthen my understanding of how banks operate, manage risk and provide capital to clients. The IBA also works on legislation both at the state and federal level to strengthen all Iowa banks for the betterment of our local communities that we continue to serve and provide economic support.
When you’re not at work, what do you like to do most?
When I’m away from work, I still spend some of my time working on the farm that I grew up on. My wife and I have three children and enjoy spending time with our kids and attending their school and sporting events throughout the year. We love to spend time outdoors in the summer at the pool or the lake. I’m an avid South Dakota State and Iowa Hawkeye fan and especially enjoy attending and watching college football.
What is a quote or guiding principle you live by?
“The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.”
— Paulo Coelho