Lender Spotlight | Duane Bowman | Vice President | Dakota Western Bank Bowman ND... Describe the market you serve. Our economy is driven by agriculture and energy. Beef cattle and small grain farming are the main entities. The main crops grown are spring wheat, durum, and barley. Other crops include oats, peas, sunflowers, safflower, canola, winter wheat, corn, and hay. Bowman County is also the largest oil producing county in North Dakota, producing 40% of the state’s oil.

What's your biggest lending challenge today?
Rising input costs. With fertilizer, chemical, fuel, insurance, and other input costs nearly doubling in price, it’s really put a squeeze on the margins. All-time high small grain prices have eased some of the pressure for the farmers. However, the high corn and feed prices, have made things extra tight for the cattle producers.

What has been your most recent lending success?
I’ve had the opportunity to help finance young entrepreneurs in both the agricultural and commercial sector. It’s always nice to see opportunities for our youth to stay in the area or move back to this area.

When did you know you wanted to be in lending?
My third year of college, I did an accounting internship in San Jose, California, right in the heart of Silicon Valley. It was a great experience, but made me realize that I wanted to come home and be involved in agriculture. Lending seemed to be the perfect fit.

What's the most important lesson you've learned in lending?
Lending is all about forming a partnership with your customer. The customer needs to trust you, and you need to trust the customer. The more you know about the customer’s operation, the better chance the lender and the customer have of success.

Describe your leadership style.
Democratic. I want our employees to participate in the decision making. If you hire knowledgeable and skillful employees, they will thrive in an environment where they are empowered in the decision making process.

What are your interests outside of lending?
Way too many hobbies. Sports, hunting, golf, running, and reading.

What are you passionate about?
Small town America. Rural America keeps losing people to the big cities. I’m passionate about the hidden treasures of small town America.

Describe what you like best about Web Equity Manager® in 10 words or less.
It has made my job a whole lot easier.

If you could change places with anyone for one day, who would it be and why?
Ken Jennings, the guy that won 74 straight times and $2.52 million on Jeopardy. I would like to know how it felt to be that smart!

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