Q&A With Mark Ptacek, Heartland Bank’s New Western Springs Outreach Man

If anyone truly lives Western Springs, Mark Ptacek does. Raised in the community and local schools, Ptacek started a banking career 23 years ago as a clerk at the Continental Bank of Western Springs—and will now return to that exact same building as Vice President of Commercial Lending for Heartland Bank and Trust, which has recently .

Ptacek moved back to Western Springs in 1998, and lives here with his wife Patty, kids Alex and Will and dog Indy. He is the current president of the District 101 School Board, as well as a member of the Association for Corporate Growth and Habitat for Humanity. Prior to Heartland, he worked at a middle-market bank in Chicago for 11 years.

According to a press release from Heartland, Ptacek “will serve the lending needs of Western Springs and the surrounding communities [and] will be responsible for developing new business account relationships and servicing commercial loans and deposits.”

Patch spoke with Ptacek about Heartland and his new role:

Patch: For those not in the know, how would you describe how Heartland Bank and Trust came to replace the Western Springs National Bank?

Mark Ptacek: "Western Springs National Bank and Trust was closed on Friday, April 8, 2011, by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, with the FDIC named as receiver. Heartland Bank has assumed all deposits and most of the assets of Western Springs National Bank and Trust.  According to regulatory policy, no advance notice can be given to the public when a bank is closed."

What does a Vice President of Commercial Lending do? What should people know about your role with their bank? 

"As a community bank, we have leadership in each community who will work with our local staff to make good loans using solid lending practices and knowledge of our local area... With an understanding that small businesses are the backbone of the communities in which we operate, local loans to local businesses mean local jobs, and that is a win-win for everyone!"

What will be unique about how you and Heartland Bank and Trust serve Western Springs?

"Heartland Bank is a solid bank with strong ties to the community. We have a an interest in putting good loans on our books and helping the surrounding communities to grow during these continued tough economic times.  Local decision making is often lost by many bank acquirers and was a big draw for me to join the organization as Heartland Bank understands the importance of knowing the communities we serve.

We are also very committed to active involvement in our communities both from a sponsorship and an involvement perspective.  Because I live in town and have been an active resident, I think we can bring some of the personal feel back and keep 'community; in banking. Heartland’s entrance into the marketplace has helped to change old perception. Even though I have been in my new position for a short time, I have seen this renewed focus turn into some good new business for us and the community."

What sorts of issues are facing a local bank like yours at this time?

"The perception that banks are not interested in being an active and iatrical part of the community, but we are working very hard to change that perception."

How will you tackle these issues in your new role?

"I will be out of the office and active in the community telling our story and knocking on doors.  I started my career in the mailroom here in the 1980's and later as a teller. I know many local businesses who used to bank here back then that moved elsewhere.  I will be asking many of them to come back to us and experience the difference in banking with a true community bank."

In your opinion, what is the importance of a relationship between a local bank and the business/residential community?

"Absolutely critical. All banks lend money and take deposits, but a relationship banker understands each situation and can get behind the numbers when needed to offer a solution and make a decision. This is why many of us in the industry enjoy what we do in spite of the many new challenges our industry has faced over the last several years."

What is the importance of your personal relationship with Western Springs in your position with Heartland?

"I think it goes a long way.  I look forward to helping my hometown grow stronger."

How would you compare having a high position at Heartland with running a school board?

"Very different. In banking, we have limits to how creatively we structure our solutions. We only have one chance to let our kids thrive, so we do our best to find creative solutions to allow them to do so."

What are the current goals of Heartland Bank and Trust with relation to the Western Springs community?

"We will have the best bankers and the best customers and become the best local bank for local small businesses and consumers.  We will prove that a bank can be small enough to know you and yet big enough to serve you."

Is there anything else you'd like to tell Western Springs about the bank and what you'll be doing with it?

"We are open for business again at our locations and I’m energized to be here leading our efforts.  If you need a loan or want to open a checking account or CD, give me a call or come in to see us!"