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Danielle Jones Promoted to Retail Manager

Danielle Jones has been promoted to retail manager of Heartland Bank and Trust Company’s Chenoa location. Jones brings 20 years of experience in the loan industry, including 15 years in management roles, to the position. Her experience encompasses a strong understanding of customer needs and a commitment to finding tailored solutions.

About Danielle

Beyond her professional expertise, Jones is actively involved in the Chenoa community. She serves as secretary for the Chenoa 4th of July Association, where she plays a key role in planning, organizing and marketing the annual celebration. She is also a member of the Chenoa Women’s Club and supports Chenoa Centralized Team.

Jones holds an associate degree in digital media communication. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, including her two granddaughters and her puppy, Zarra.

This promotion reflects Heartland Bank and Trust Company’s commitment to investing in local leadership and providing personalized financial services to the Chenoa community.

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Trevor’s Perspective – Growing at Heartland Bank

Trevor Seibring is a Commercial Lender at Heartland Bank and Trust Company. Trevor’s story with Heartland Bank started in 2016 as an Asset Management and Trust Services Intern. After graduation, Trevor returned to the bank and has had an incredible journey in building his career in Credit and Commercial Lending. 

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What makes Trevor a standout employee?

Trevor Seibring’s career at Heartland Bank shows how hard work and the right opportunities can create lasting growth.

Trevor’s Story

Seibring, now a commercial lender, first joined Heartland Bank in 2016 as an Asset Management and Trust Services Intern while attending Illinois Wesleyan University. After graduating, he returned as a credit analyst and later advanced to portfolio manager before stepping into his current role.

Finding a Career Path

Seibring said he was first drawn to Heartland Bank because of its strong reputation for culture and customer service. He enjoyed the work in the credit department, but commercial lending was a natural next step.

“In commercial lending, I get to take what I learned in credit and add the customer side of the business,” Seibring said. “I love supporting local businesses and seeing the community grow.”

Professional Growth

Mentorship has been a key part of Trevor’s journey. He credits both his managers and coworkers for helping him grow into each new position. “Each boss I’ve had focused on making sure I understood my work and kept improving,” Seibring said. “And my coworkers have always been willing to help and answer questions.”

About Trevor

Outside of work, Seibring stays active with sports like pickleball, basketball and biking. He and his wife, Maddison, enjoy taking their children, Bennett and Emery, to local parks and the Children’s Discovery Museum.

Seibring also gives back through community involvement in Bloomington, Illinois. He is active in the Kiwanis Club of Bloomington, Bloomington-Normal Young Professionals and serves as treasurer for the United Way of McLean County.

Heartland Bank’s Culture

What keeps Seibring at Heartland Bank? He points to the culture of relationships and service. “I love Heartland Bank’s focus on people — whether it’s customers, coworkers or the community,” he said.

A New Threat in Disguise: Godfather Malware Targets Banking Apps

Let’s face it, cybercriminals are getting more advanced, and their latest tool — the “Godfather malware” — is a serious threat to mobile banking users. This banking trojan poses as genuine apps to trick people into giving away sensitive financial information. Once installed, it can steal the login, intercept security codes and empty accounts in seconds.

More than 400 financial institutions worldwide, including many in the United States, have been affected. Experts say this isn’t just another phishing scam — it’s a full-scale cyberattack.

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How the Godfather Works

The Godfather malware hides inside apps through fake updates, unofficial app stores or copies of popular apps. Once downloaded, it runs quietly in the background. It’s an upgraded version of a threat from a few years ago called the Anubis banking trojan.

When users open their mobile banking app, the malware can place a fake login screen over the real one. This screen looks identical, so users enter their credentials without realizing they’re sending them straight to criminals. Godfather can also track keystrokes, intercept text messages and even disable antivirus protection.

Why It’s Hard to Spot

This malware doesn’t slow down your device or show obvious red flags. Everything appears normal until your account is compromised. Warning signs include unrecognized account activity, strange login alerts or unusual permission requests after an app update. By the time these appear, the damage may already be done.

How to Stay Safe

  • Download apps only from official stores such as the Apple App Store or Google Play.
  • Avoid links in texts or emails, even if they look real.
  • Keep your device and apps updated to fix security gaps.
  • Be cautious about new permission requests.
  • Use two-factor authentication and consider installing a trusted security app.

Stay Secure

The Godfather malware shows how smart — and sneaky — cybercriminals have become. A few extra precautions can make the difference between safety and a drained account. If you feel you’ve been the victim of a scam and may have provided personal or important financial information, contact our Customer Care Center immediately at 888-897-2276. Be sure to provide our team with any relevant details.

Resources:

For more fraud prevention tips, visit Heartland Bank’s Security Center.


This article may refer to and link to third party information that has been verified to the best of our abilities. There is no guarantee of accuracy. Heartland Bank does not endorse companies, services, or products referenced in its articles and is not responsible for the content, links, privacy, or security policies of these third parties. Information in the above article may include material from Infosecurity Magazine (https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/godfather-upgraded-hijack-mobile/), TechRader (Dangerous Android malware targets US banking apps – 50,000 people already affected, make sure you’re not next | TechRadar), Bank Info Security (Godfather Malware Turns Real Banking Apps Into Spy Tools) and the Heartland Bank and Trust Company website (https://www.hbtbank.com/security-center).

Intern Stories: Kate Becker

About Kate

Kate joined Heartland Bank’s Marketing and Customer Experience Department as a graphic design intern on April 9, 2025. A native of Highland, Illinois, she is a graphic design major at Illinois State University (ISU) and expects to graduate in December 2025.

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From Campus to Marketing Department

At ISU, Kate participates in the Graphic Design Club and Women in Business, organizations that provide opportunities for skill development, collaboration and career exploration.

Kate’s internship has provided valuable hands-on experience. She says the role allowed her to work through the “full sequence of marketing asset creation, from initial concept to final delivery.” She was responsible for both updating existing materials and creating new designs for various platforms, while also focusing on brand consistency and file management. Kate emphasized the collaborative environment, stating she “actively participated in brainstorming sessions and incorporating feedback to refine designs and achieve project goals.”

What advice would you give to intern candidates or future interns?

“Heartland Bank’s internship program is designed to provide real-world experience and foster professional growth.” Kate encourages future interns to approach challenges with confidence, embracing mistakes as learning opportunities.

What else would you like to tell Heartland Bank employees about your experience?

She also expressed her gratitude to Heartland Bank employees for their supportive environment and encourages others to seek opportunities that push them beyond their comfort zones, as this internship did for her. She says she will carry this experience with her for some time.

Amber Davis Joins Heartland Bank as a Mortgage Banker

Heartland Bank and Trust Company proudly announces the hiring of Amber Davis as a mortgage banker. Davis comes to Heartland Bank with 10 years of construction management and design sales experience and two years of mortgage lending experience. She will be located at Heartland Bank’s Sycamore location on DeKalb Avenue.

Davis is currently finishing her Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Brigham Young University. She is active in her community as a member of The Inner Circle, a women’s networking group for small-business owners, realtors and other professionals, and volunteers for outreach programs like Feed My Starving Children and Outreach House.

Originally from Sycamore, Davis recently moved back to the area. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new restaurants and local eateries, supporting small businesses and finding hidden gems in addition to enjoying time with family – whether it’s a game night or spontaneous day trips to some place new.

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Heartland Bank Announces the 2025 Zearing Scholarship Recipients

In 1991, Delyte K. and Robert I. Zearing established a trust to be held by Heartland Bank and Trust Company in Princeton, Illinois, for the purpose of maintaining a perpetual education fund to be used for scholarships for selected students from Bureau County to attend the University of Illinois.

The scholarships are awarded by a selection committee and administered by a Wealth Advisor at Heartland Bank in Princeton and the Regional Superintendent of Schools for Bureau, Henry, and Stark Counties.

Recipients of the 2025 Delyte K. and Robert I. Zearing Scholarship are Abigail Brown, Abraham Wiesbrock, and Isabella Wittenauer. The recipients have impressive academic and extracurricular achievements. They will go far as they continue their academic career at the University of Illinois this fall!

For more information about the Delyte K. and Robert I. Zearing Scholarship or how to apply, please contact the Wealth Management department at our Princeton branch.

Eric Horvath Joins Heartland Bank as a Commercial Lender

Heartland Bank and Trust Company proudly announces the hiring of Eric Horvath as a commercial lender. Horvath comes to Heartland Bank with seven years of commercial lending experience in the Chicago area. He will be located at Heartland Bank’s Bloomington branch at 401 N. Hershey Road.

About Eric

Horvath graduated from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and is looking forward to finding organizations to join in the area.

Originally from the Bloomington, Illinois area, Horvath has recently moved back to the area with his wife. In his free time, he spends as much time on the golf course as he can.

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Employee Stories: Julie Kleen

Celebrating a Decade of Growth at Heartland Bank!

Julie Kleen joined Heartland Bank in 2010 as a Retail Teller and has since built a successful career in the Learning & Development department, now serving as a Performance & Learning Analyst. Starting with a recommendation from her father, a long-time customer and financial professional, Julie quickly found a passion for employee development. She credits a supportive culture – including mentorship from leaders like her manager, Laureen – and resources like the Job Shadow program and LinkedIn Learning for her growth.

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Julie now enjoys facilitating new hire orientation and collaborating across departments, fostering a bank-wide commitment to continuous learning. She encourages colleagues to embrace change and utilize available opportunities for professional development.

Sierra Stramka Promoted to Retail Manager

Heartland Bank and Trust Company proudly announces the promotion of Sierra Stramka to retail manager. Stramka came to Heartland Bank with two years of experience in food service and manufacturing. She is located at Heartland Bank’s Washington location on South Main Street.

About Sierra

Stramka, a graduate of East Peoria Community High School, with multiple leadership certificates, plans to become involved in the Washington Chamber of Commerce as well as the local Kiwanis Club.

In her personal time, Stramka enjoys spending time with her family as well as reading. During the summer, most of her weekends are spent playing outside with her dog or kayaking on the Mackinaw River.

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Carl Fricke Joins Heartland Bank as Director of Operations

Heartland Bank and Trust Company proudly announces the hiring of Carl Fricke as director of operations. Fricke comes to Heartland Bank with over 25 years of experience with operational excellence, vendor management, risk and facilities management. He will be located at Heartland Bank’s headquarters in Bloomington on North Hershey Road.

About Carl

Fricke holds a Bachelor of Science and has also earned his Lean Six Sigma blackbelt. He has a history of being active in the community by holding positions such as assistant chief at a volunteer ambulance core and serving on the board of directors at Effingham Crisis Nursery.

Originally from Grayslake and Effingham, Fricke now lives in the Bloomington-Normal area where he enjoys spending time with family and exploring new places.

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