The Callaway branch of Nebraska State Bank is welcoming a new loan officer, and bidding farewell to another. Several community members stopped by the bank for an Open House on Tuesday, April 19 to say goodbye and good luck to loan officer Craig Barta. Barta has worked for Nebraska State Bank for nearly eight years, and during that time he has served customers in Broken Bow and Callaway. Barta stepped into the Callaway role following the retirement of long-time NSB officer Terry Jensen.

A native of Taylor, Barta decided to go to college three years after graduating from high school. He graduated from Chadron State College and then worked in the banking industry in the panhandle of the state for more than 20 years.

In 2013, he and his wife moved back to Broken Bow primarily to be closer to his parents. Now they are making another move to be near family. Barta will be moving to Upton, Wyoming to be closer to his daughter and her family. He will be working for a bank in Upton where his wife will be teaching.

“It’s kind of ironic, but my wife’s great-granddad is resting in a small place in northeast Wyoming called Rocky Point, which is now just a spot on the map. It’s funny how a family starts in one area and somehow ends up back there,” said Barta.

While he is looking forward to being closer to his daughter and grandchildren, Barta said he will also miss the people of Callaway. “I grew up in a small town like this with what I call blue-collar people. They are just down-to-earth, hard working good people,” Barta said. “That’s what I have enjoyed about working here. Their word is their word, and I have enjoyed and respected that.”

Taking Barta’s place as loan officer at Callaway NSB is Jacob Parsons. A homegrown Custer County native, Parsons has worked for the bank for seven years. He said he has had the privilege of working with Barta.

Parsons is a graduate of Anselmo-Merna High School and after graduation attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His family has a small ranching operation, and he said his plan was to move back and work on the ranch.

“I got a call from the bank and figured I better take advantage of the opportunity,” said Parsons.

Though he planned to ranch, he said banking was always in the back of his mind. His degree is in agribusiness with an emphasis in banking finance.

Coming to the Callaway branch just seemed like a natural transition for Parsons, who is married to Hannah (Meyer) - a Callaway native. The couple now lives in Merna. For now, Parsons plans to be in the Callaway office on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Contact Ellen Mortensen at ellen@syndicatepub.com