Grand Conversations | 5 Questions with Heather Wagner

In our latest grand conversation, we sat down with Heather Wagner, a Loan Officer/AVP at our Jay, Oklahoma branch. Heather has been working with Grand Savings Bank for over 14 years and has been a key player in making our customers’ lives grand.

5 Questions with Heather Wagner

1. What is your role at GSB?

I have played multiple roles within GSB. Starting out, I was a Jay bank teller, but I wanted to know more. So, I showed interest in the new accounts side and then became our CSR/New Accounts for our Jay Branch. Within months, a loan assistant position became available. I wanted to know more and continue to grow my banking knowledge, so I immediately applied to the new position. Shortly after, I was offered the position to be Steve Odle’s loan assistant. I was able to learn the consumer side of lending for many years, but even then, I knew there was much more to learn.

Before learning all I needed to know about banking, I needed a break. Once I got married, I took a year off from banking, but it didn’t take me long to realize my calling was still in banking. I then was able to continue growing my banking knowledge and became the assistant to Tyler Steele (NWA branch). In this position, I learned all about Real Estate and CML lending. Additionally, I was promoted to the loan assistant supervisor over all 12 branches. I am very thankful for going through this process and gaining the knowledge I have now. My GSB family believed in me and empowered me to continue to push myself, and because of that, I landed a position as a Commercial, Consumer, and Real Estate Lender.

2. Why did you choose to work in banking?

This is actually a funny story. I started out going to school to be a Dental Hygienist; however, my journey quickly took a detour. Around that time, I was approached by a couple of bank employees in the Pizza Hut parking lot while I was on my lunch break. I was working at a local dental office, but they asked me if I ever thought about the banking world.

As I headed back to the dental office, I found myself thinking, “Wow, could someone really believe I would make a good banker???” A few weeks later, I applied for the open teller position and got the job. It was then that I knew my calling was in banking.

3. What do you love about working in Jay?

I love being a part of the Jay team because this is my hometown. My family lives here, and my kids go to school here. In other words, we bleed Black and Gold!  I also love being involved in our community and trying to build a brighter future for the next generation. Plus, it is always nice to go to the store or dinner and be called by name. Perks of small towns!

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I like to….. Wait, what is free time again? I have 2 daughters that are very active in sports. We live at the softball fields on the weekends and basketball courts on the weekdays. When I do get a little free time/me time, I spend it with my husband hunting, fishing, and looking for arrowheads.

5. Our slogan is “Life is Grand.” What makes life grand for you?

My life is grand because I have a healthy and fed family, a roof over my head, and clothes to wear. God has blessed me with so much and without Him, I would not be where I am today. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love”  – Ephesians 4:2.