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 producers and business owners. Throughout her career, she has built a strong reputation for combining practical judgment, creative problem-solving, and disciplined execution to deliver tailored banking solutions that support both immediate needs and long-term goals, an approach that aligns closely with SVB’s core values.
In her career, Mandi has held senior leadership roles spanning agricultural and commercial lending, operations, and team leadership. She has worked closely with customers to navigate complex financial decisions related to growth, expansion, and transition planning, while also helping organizations strengthen performance and processes.
“We are very pleased to welcome Mandi to our team,” said Joseph Stouffer, Chief Lending Officer at Sauk Valley Bank. “Her experience and deep roots in agriculture are a natural fit for our bank and our commitment to being a true partner to the ag community. We’re excited to have her serving farmers and businesses throughout Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.”
In her role at Sauk Valley Bank, Ballard will work with agricultural and commercial customers to build full banking relationships, bringing together lending, deposit, and business banking services to support the complete operation or business.
Mandi holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Northern Illinois University, is a graduate of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois School of Banking, is an Accredited Banking Professional, and has completed specialized training in agricultural and commercial finance.