Announcements

Heartland Bank and Trust Company is pleased to announce the promotion of Evan Fairfield to assistant vice president and commercial lender. Fairfield is based at the Western Springs branch, serving clients across the Chicago metropolitan area. In his role, Fairfield works with business and real estate professionals to support financing needs and guide transactions from …

Heartland Bank and Trust Company announces the promotion of Katrina Sharrow as a fiduciary advisor. Sharrow has five years of wealth management experience at Heartland Bank and is based at the bank’s Uptown Normal branch. About Katrina Sharrow is a graduate of Cannon Trust School and is currently working toward the Certified Trust and Fiduciary …

Bryan Kirkham has been promoted to retail manager of Heartland Bank and Trust Company’s Eureka branch. In this role, he focuses on supporting customers while developing and coaching team members. Kirkham is committed to creating a welcoming experience where customers feel genuinely appreciated, and he takes pride in helping both employees and customers reach their …

Ariel Stemen has been promoted to retail manager of Heartland Bank and Trust Company’s Western Springs branch. Stemen brings more than 11 years of experience in service-focused roles, including seven years in behavioral health services and four years in emergency medical transportation, along with more than two years of banking experience. Her background reflects a …

Matt Merritt has been promoted to retail manager of Heartland Bank and Trust Company’s Uptown Normal branch. Merritt brings more than six years of retail experience, including 2 1/2 years of management experience and two years of banking experience. His background reflects a strong focus on customer service, active listening and building trusted relationships with …

Heartland Bank and Trust Company proudly announces the hiring of Rachel Waca as a portfolio manager. Waca brings 27 years of banking experience with her, including 21 years as a credit analyst. She will be located at Heartland Bank’s Princeton branch and will serve customers throughout the Illinois Valley area. About Rachel Waca earned a …

Heartland Bank and Trust Company, the $5.1 billion subsidiary of HBT Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBT) is honored to have been named the #1 bank on Forbes’ 2026 America’s Best Banks list! The prestigious ranking, published February 4, identifies the 100 strongest banks in the nation based on an objective analysis of 11 key metrics. The …

Angie Handley has been promoted to retail manager of Heartland Bank and Trust Company’s Springfield Dirksen location. Handley brings 15 years of experience in the banking industry to the position, including roles in retail management, loan administration and loan underwriting. Her background reflects a strong focus on customer service, problem-solving and developing others. About Angie …

Heartland Bank and Trust Company announces the hire of Yolanda Frontany as a community reinvestment mortgage banker. Frontany joins Heartland Bank with 30 years of experience in the mortgage industry and a strong background in community reinvestment and advocacy lending. She will serve borrowers in Chicago, Cicero and Berwyn and is located at the Schaumburg …

Heartland Bank and Trust Company has promoted Robyn Alde to commercial lender, serving the Newark, Somonauk and Sandwich branches in the Illinois Valley region. Alde brings more than a decade of combined banking, credit analysis and agribusiness experience to the role, including previous positions as portfolio manager and senior credit analyst at Heartland Bank. With …