2019 Annual Report

employees are actively involved in our communities, and we have the expertise in place to be a valued partner in their ongoing success by continuing to support and guide our customers. Customers appreciate our product offerings, including new technology that allows them to take advantage of the bank’s easy access to online banking methods. “Communicating proactively is the best way to support our customers through difficult times and our ever-changing economy,” he continues. “It’s imperative for us to identify customer needs and help them achieve their goals with the right products and banking solutions. Working alongside our neighbors is crucial to keeping our communities and our bank strong.” Pat Hogrefe , MidWest One Regional President for the Iowa East Region in Dyersville/Farley, credits a diverse economy for his communities’ relative stability in changing times. “Our area has weathered the decline in commodity prices fairly well, as we are surrounded by some of the highest quality farm ground in Iowa,” Hogrefe says. “That’s kept land prices strong and allowed for some farmers to reset their balance sheets to continue to operate in the current ag environment. “We also are very fortunate to have a biodiesel plant in Farley and an ethanol plant in Dyersville,” he says, “along with many other agri-businesses located in and around our area, so we have a nice mix here of commercial and agricultural customers.” And then there’s the Field of Dreams, Dyersville’s number-one tourist attraction, where Major League Baseball is building an 8,000-seat stadium for a White Sox-Yankees game in August 2020. Hogrefe says the project has led to downtown revitalization efforts as well as a boost in the local hospitality industry; the game and surrounding festivities are expected to draw upwards of 40,000 visitors.

Pat Hogrefe Eldon Zumbach Kevin Raisbeck

18 MidWest One Financial Group, Inc. 2019 Annual Report