Heritage Bank In Neligh Welcomes Matt Goracke

​Heritage Bank in Neligh welcomed its newest team member last week as Matt Goracke came onboard.

Growing up in Red Oak, Iowa, Goracke said he has always bled Husker red.

After graduating from high school in Red Oak, Goracke returned to the Good Life state, earning a bachelors of science degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and beginning his career with Heritage Bank.

“After I graduated in May of 2014, I spent a year training with our CEO in Aurora,” Goracke said. “And then I spent the last couple of years down in Hastings doing ag commercial lending.”

Goracke, 24, said he was drawn to the opportunity with Heritage Bank right from the beginning, with it’s close-knit culture opportunity for freedom and growth. He is especially excited to be in Neligh, working with Joe Knight as his mentor.

“It’s a big bank with lots of good customers and room for expansion. I am hoping to learn a lot from Joe and help with his workload here,” Goracke said.  “My long-term goal is to take over the bank whenever Joe chooses to retire.”

But why banking? For Goracke, his career gives him the opportunity to help people succeed – especially in their own businesses.

“I love business. Banking gave me the best opportunity to look at the most businesses and learn how Business Owner A operates versus Business Owner B in different industries,” Goracke said. “I analyze their businesses and help them be better. That is what I truly enjoy.”

His passion for business goes beyond his career with Heritage Bank. Goracke is also an entrepreneur himself.  He operates a tax lien business with his brother in Iowa and owns multiple rentals in Hastings, Nebraska.

Goracke said he was also drawn to the unique Neligh community as well.

“I really like this community. There is a lot more going on that what I would have expected in a town of 1,600 people,” Goracke said. “It seems like a hub for farmers with all the different implement dealers and manufacturers in the area. There are a lot of 1,000 to 2,000 people towns in Nebraska, but this one has a lot more going on than a typical town.”

While living in Hastings, Goracke was active with the Hastings Chamber of Commerce and served on the Young Professionals Board. The energetic banker said he is looking forward to getting involved in the community in Neligh.

“I am looking forward to jumping in the community and finding my niche here. I want to be involved – if you need a volunteer, give me a call. I like being active,” Goracke said.

Goracke is serving as the Relationship Manager at Heritage Bank where he will be working with agricultural and commercial loan customers, supporting new businesses, and working with casualty, farm, home and auto insurance.