Press Releases

DIXON, IL – Sauk Valley Bank (SVB) is pleased to welcome Ashley Crawford as our new Private Banker. Ashley brings a strong background in relationship-driven banking and client service, with experience supporting individuals, business owners, and high-net-worth clients. In her role as a Private Banker, she provides personalized financial guidance and delivers a high level...

JANESVILLE, WI – Sauk Valley Bank (SVB) is pleased to welcome Nataly Chavez as our new Janesville Mortgage Loan Officer. Nataly brings over 15 years of experience in banking, with a strong focus on sales, providing financial literacy to the Hispanic community in Rock County, and breaking down language barriers in the financial industry. She...

STERLING, IL – Sauk Valley Bank (SVB) is pleased to announce Brad Ray as Executive Vice President. Sauk Valley Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Brad Ray as Executive Vice President. Ray will play a key role in the Bank’s leadership team and, as part of its ongoing succession efforts, is anticipated to...

HARVARD, IL – Sauk Valley Bank is pleased to welcome Lori Gajdzik as the new Harvard Market President. Lori brings more than 25 years of leadership experience, shaped by a career centered on organizational development, workforce strategy, and operational oversight. Her background reflects a deep commitment to strengthening business performance and fostering environments where employees...

STERLING, IL – Sauk Valley Bank (SVB) is pleased to welcome Bob Smith as the new VP Commercial & Agriculture Lender. Raised on a 160-acre grain and livestock farm near Lanark, Illinois, Bob brings a lifelong connection to agriculture and a deep understanding of rural communities. His professional background includes key leadership roles such as...

JANESVILLE, WI – Sauk Valley Bank, a community bank dedicated to relationship-driven service, is pleased to announce the opening of a new full-service branch located at 1135 Black Bridge Road, in Janesville, Wisconsin in the fall of 2026. This expansion reflects the bank’s continued commitment to providing convenient access to high-quality financial services while strengthening...

WALWORTH, WI – Sauk Valley Bank Sauk Valley Bank (SVB) is pleased to welcome Jennelle Olson as the new Retail Banking District Leader. Jennelle brings more than 26 years of experience in retail banking, shaped by leadership roles that include branch operations and market oversight, with a strong foundation in relationship banking. Throughout her career,...

STERLING, IL – Sauk Valley Bank is pleased to welcome Warren Laube as the new Chief Credit Officer. Warren brings more than three decades of experience shaped by work in credit administration, risk evaluation, and commercial lending. His career reflects a consistent focus on strengthening credit practices and supporting the long-term health of the financial...

HARVARD, IL – Sauk Valley Bank Sauk Valley Bank (SVB) is pleased to welcome Mandi Ballard as Vice President of Agricultural & Commercial Lending. Mandi brings more than 15 years of community banking experience and a lifelong connection to agriculture. Raised on a small family dairy farm, she understands the unique challenges faced by agricultural...

HARVARD, IL – Sauk Valley Bank (SVB) is pleased to welcome Travis Howell as Vice President of Commercial & Agricultural Lending. Sauk Valley Bank (SVB) is pleased to welcome Travis Howell as Vice President of Commercial & Agricultural Lending. Travis brings lending experience from previous roles. He attended the University of Illinois and has completed...