Peshel Changes Mindset to Grow Career
After attending the 2023 Women in Banking forum, Krystal Peshel, consumer and mortgage lender at State Bank of Toledo, more comfortable stepping outside of her comfort zone. She began her career as a soft-spoken and reserved person, but at the conference, she heard the statement, “do it scared.” This statement changed her mindset and led her to join the IBA Compliance School Advisory Board in 2024.
Peshel originally joined the banking industry as a part-time teller. She was offered a full-time position after a few months, and eventually, moved to the lending side as a loan processor. This position helped her realize she wanted to be a lender. Her mentors were supportive and sent her to the IBA’s Consumer Credit School to help her reach her goal. “If you’re looking for opportunities for growth and to build connections with people, banking is a great career choice. I love getting to know my customers and building a lasting relationship with them,” she added.
When looking back on your banking career, what achievement are you most proud of and why?
Looking back at my five years in banking so far, I am most proud of getting out of my comfort zone. I began my career as a soft-spoken and reserved person. However, then I heard the statement, “do it scared,” at the 2023 Women in Banking forum. Since that forum, I have grown very comfortable putting myself out there. My greatest achievement since this was applying for the IBA Compliance School Advisory Board in 2024 and being selected to serve. This is not only a great opportunity for myself, but also for my bank.
What piece of advice would you give to your past self or to anyone considering a career in banking?
I never considered a career in banking until I went to the bank for a personal loan. While there, I was presented with an offer to apply for a part-time teller position, and I took the leap. Within a few months of starting, I was offered a full-time position and a couple of years later, I was approached with the opportunity to move to the lending side as a loan processor. After a few months of loan processing, I finally knew what I wanted to do with my career – be a lender. My mentors were supportive and sent me to the IBA’s Consumer Credit School where I began my journey toward my current position. Because of this, my advice would be to try new things. It can lead you to where you want to go.
What is your best elevator pitch for why banking is a great career?
My best elevator pitch for why banking is a great career is that it is an ever-changing field. The day you had before is never the same as the next – what we might have done last year is more than likely changing as well. If you’re looking for opportunities for growth and to build connections with people, banking is a great career choice. I love getting to know my customers and building a lasting relationship with them.
How does getting involved with the Iowa Bankers Association help you and your bank?
Getting involved with the IBA has offered several opportunities for growth in my career. Currently, I am serving on the Compliance School Advisory Board. I realized the importance of being involved with the IBA when I was attending a conference last year and was greeted by name as I walked up to get my name tag. It was a good feeling to be recognized, and it is also beneficial to connect to those at the IBA who work to answer your questions. I am looking forward to getting to know even more of the staff at the IBA in the coming years.
When you’re not at work, what do you like to do most?
I love spending time with my family and being a mom the most! My husband and I have two kids, Naomi and Nohlen, and two fur-babies, Nala and Noodle. Between volleyball, dance, track and football, we spend a great amount of time in the stands cheering our kids on. Our daughter will be a senior next year, so I am sad that the gym time is slowly going to be dwindling down. We also own our own business, Peshel Stump Grinding, where I usually am roped into getting my hands dirty or helping with the financials.
What is a quote or guiding principle you live by?
Let them.
I even went as far as having it tattooed on my left forearm so I can remind myself daily to let them talk, let them not like you, let them not want something better for life, and on and on. I highly recommend reading or listening to “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins.