The Liberty Bell: Leadership Q&A

Nick Oller, Daviess Market President

Winter 2025 Edition

Being the Owensboro leader for nearly five years now, how do you find yourself as a leader in the Owensboro community as well?

“When I stop and think about how I’ve grown as a leader in Owensboro over the past five years as president, I realize it’s been less about the title and more about building relationships. I find myself as a leader by simply being a part of the community, showing up, listening and being present.

Some of the most meaningful moments in my role haven’t happened in meetings or at the desk; they have happened at a Chamber event, a high school football game and with business owners who are putting everything into their dreams of owning their businesses. I have learned that leadership here isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room, it’s about being calm, cool and collected along with being approachable and willing to put someone else’s needs first.

The team I have the privilege to work with everyday has helped teach me this. So, when I think about who I am as a leader today, I would say that I am a connector. I try to bring people and opportunities together. Whether it’s helping customers, supporting nonprofits or mentoring our staff, it’s connection that truly helps. That is how I found my place as leader in Owensboro, not by standing out, but standing with our people.”

 

You’ve been assisting in loans for most of your career. What is a significant success story you remember being a part of? 

“When I look back over my career, there are a lot of loans I have been a part of, but the ones that stick with me are the ones where you can see the impact beyond the paperwork.

I remember a local small business owner who came to Independence Bank with a dream of expanding. On paper, it was okay. There were some risks as there are with any loan, but we were able to get creative and structure the loan that made sense for the customer and for the bank.

We closed the loan, and I will never forget going to the grand opening watching customers come through the door, employees hired and partnerships being developed. The business did not just grow, but it created jobs, boosted the owner’s confidence and became a part of the Owensboro community. For me, that is what makes this career so rewarding. A loan isn’t just a transaction, it’s an investment in people, in families and the future of our community. To know we play a small part in this growth is something special to me.”

 

You have been at Independence Bank for almost 23 years. What led you to community banking in the first place?

“If you had asked me 23 years ago if I planned to be a banker, I would have said, “Not a chance.” Historically, I was not a math guy, numbers scared me. I honestly would not have had the confidence to think that I could be a banker. But, as life often does, it opened a door I never would have expected.

My opportunity first came into banking when I was finishing up my last semesters of college at WKU (Go TOPS). I needed a job to help pay some expenses and was not sure what businesses would work around my schedule. I was introduced to Janet Reid and Tawna Wright. They interviewed me, hired me the same day and I started the following day. This is a moment in my banking career that I will never forget and will always remember both Janet and Tawna taking a chance on a very inexperienced business guy, not to mention a banker.

When I started, as you can imagine, it was just a job. But, almost immediately, I realized there was something different about Independence Bank. I fell in love with the work not because I started to to gain an understanding of numbers, but it was about the people I worked with in the community I was beginning to serve. Every day, I was meeting neighbors, business owners and families who were trusting me with their money. These same people later began trusting me with their loans to, perhaps, buy their first home or a line of credit to assist them in their business.

I quickly learned that community banking is not just about transactions, it’s about relationships and being a part of customers’ stories. At this point, I was hooked. Over the years, the sense of purpose has only grown stronger. I did not plan to be a banker, but 23 years later, I can honestly say I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

And, if you’re wondering what career path I was going down, it was to be a teacher. I planned on teaching for a few years, then wanted to be a counselor at the high school level.”

 

How does the Daviess County market “show up” and truly make a difference in the community?

“When I think about the Daviess County team, the first word that comes to mind is presence. Our employees don’t just come to work then go home; they show up in ways that make a real difference for our community. You’ll see them at Chamber events, volunteering at nonprofits and coaching or cheering on students at local schools. They give their time, their energy and their talents because they genuinely care about Owensboro and Daviess County.

Inside the Bank, they show up with that same spirit. Whether it’s helping a customer navigate a tough situation, walking someone through their first home loan or partnering with a local business to grow, our people go the extra mile. They treat customers like neighbors because they are our neighbors.

What makes me proud is that none of this is about recognition. Our employees step up because it’s who they are. They embody Independence Bank’s values by investing in the community, not just financially but personally. And that is how the Daviess County market makes a difference, by showing up every day as bankers, volunteers, mentors and friends.