Stauffacher Grateful for New Challenges at CRBT
Hether Stauffacher began her banking career as a teller 25 years ago, with the last 16 being at Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust. Throughout that time, she has worked in both the commercial and consumer lending departments. As her bank’s consumer and residential real estate lending business continued to grow, she was promoted to assistant vice president/residential real estate and consumer support manager.
“I am proud that I work for an organization that challenges its employees to continue to grow and take on new challenges and that I rose to those challenges from teller to a leadership position at CRBT.
When looking back on your banking career, what are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of being promoted into my current position. I got my start in banking as a teller and I then worked in commercial lending for a few years, followed by a role in consumer lending. The bank’s consumer and residential real estate lending business grew to the point where they needed to create a position to oversee the teams that support those lending functions, and I was asked to take on that role. As I reflect on the path to that opportunity/promotion, I am proud that I work for an organization that challenges its employees to continue to grow and take on new challenges and that I rose to those challenges from teller to a leadership position at CRBT.
What piece of advice would you give to your past self or to anyone considering a career in banking?
My advice is to practice the pause before you react or respond to a situation where you may feel you will react emotionally. As a new manager/leader, I initially wanted to be quick to respond to people so they would respect me in my new role. It didn’t take long to realize that practicing the pause would have often allowed me time to gather the facts and respond more effectively, which gives me more credibility as a leader than simply focusing on a quick response. Practicing the pause always works better for both me and the person I’m trying to help.
What is your best elevator pitch for why banking is a great career?
Banking provides so many options to find a career that is meaningful to you — it’s a profession that provides great career opportunities and does really important work in serving the needs of individuals and communities.
How does getting involved with the Iowa Bankers Association help you and your bank?
The IBA is a great resource to me, particularly around compliance, whether using resources to ask specific questions or access to trainings/webinars to stay current on ever-changing regulations. I also just completed my first year of the Iowa Banking School, which was very educational. I learned a great deal about the high-level aspects of running a bank and how what we do in the day-to-day contributes to that.
When you’re not at work, what do you like to do most?
Spending time with family, traveling, attending CrossFit and yoga classes and going to the dog park with our two Bernese mountain dogs.
What is a quote or guiding principle you live by?
“You are braver than you believe, smarter than you seem and stronger then you think.”
— Winnie-the-Pooh