Anyone who has been in the banking industry for over 30 years can tell you that a lot has changed in that time. From new operations processes and technologies to a wider range of ways to interact with banks, the business of banking evolves a little more every day.

But one thing hasn’t changed: relationships between bankers and customers that are built on trust. For 2026-2027 Nebraska Bankers Association Chair Travis Sears, relationship building has been a constant throughout his career and remains foundational to his role as vice president of operations at Union Bank & Trust.

“I think people trust banks like they did back then. It’s based on relationships and how bankers connect with customers to serve their financial needs. People still want to come in and have that conversation with a banker,” Sears said.

Beginnings in Banking

Relationships played a significant role in Sears’ early entry into the banking world. Leaning on an existing connection to a local branch manager, at 18 years old, he began working for the National Bank of Commerce as a night and weekend ATM repairman while attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, shortly after graduating from Crete High School. After transferring to Concordia University and switching his major from business education to business management, Sears maintained a full-time role at the bank.

One of Sears’ roles early in his career (circa 1993) was helping with bank conversions and starting a debit card center. Very few banks offered them at the time; most had only a credit card or an ATM-specific card. That role allowed Sears to strengthen his relationship-building skills; he connected with multiple banks and helped set them up in the debit card system, which combined ATM and point-of-sale functionality for added flexibility.

Then, in 1996, Union Bank & Trust offered him a job as a supervisor in the Lincoln area, and the rest is history. Now, three decades later, Sears and his wife Jackie — whom he met while working his first bank job — call Lincoln home.

Throughout his career, Sears said the biggest change in the banking industry has been the pace of technological change. Before, physical bank branches served as the main point of interaction between bankers and customers. Now, there are bank branches, online banking, text alerts and more, all evolving to meet varied customer preferences and needs.

“There’s new technology coming out all the time. It’s a constant change now, where before the adoption of new technologies was very slow. I think it’s better for the consumers now that they have more choices about where and how they want to do their banking,” Sears said.

Connecting Communities

In his role at UBT, Sears has found the most rewarding part to be the relationships he has built and continues to build with customers. He also enjoys strengthening connections with the bank’s team, watching coworkers bloom and advance to management. But Sears doesn’t just make time for customers and coworkers; he makes giving back to his community a priority.

“UBT encourages all employees to volunteer and offers many opportunities to do so, from hosting shred days at the bank to boxing up food for kids at school and more. It’s important to support your community,” Sears said. “If you have a thriving community, there’s a good chance at least one bank is there.”

Sears recognizes that while banks provide a variety of services, their main purpose is to support people. He believes banks’ role is to help individuals achieve their dreams through financial planning and lending for major purchases or life events.

“No matter the size of the bank, they all provide the same basic services — financial support and guidance — to the communities they serve. When the banking system comes together, the whole system becomes stronger,” Sears said.

Goals as Chair

In his role as NBA chair, Sears is excited to help industry members support one another as he gets to know bankers from across Nebraska. He’s looking forward to hearing from NBA members about what is and isn’t working across banks of all sizes in order to help them thrive.

Additionally, he plans to help develop new ways to fight fraud across the industry, including furthering the NBA’s anti-fraud initiatives, such as the Fraud Free Nebraska Coalition and the new “That’s a Red Flag” scam awareness and prevention campaign (thatsaredflag.com). Sears also plans to keep an eye on federal banking regulations and to encourage regulatory reform to make it easier for banks to provide what their communities need without all the “red tape.”

“Right now, we’re facing increasing pressure from the regulatory environment, a rise in fraud and a need to constantly adapt in how we serve our communities. But one thing is clear — we’re stronger when we face these issues together,” Sears said. “No bank should be out there on an island. Our ability to collaborate is one of our greatest strengths.”

Mentoring the Next Generation

Prior to becoming NBA chair, Sears gained experience volunteering in leadership roles within the NBA, including serving on various committees and the board of directors. He is also a graduate of the KBA/NBA Advanced School of Banking and the Operations School. Sears credits various teachers, mentors and role models for shaping his view on leadership and community focus. Sears hopes to give back to the industry that has given him so much over the years.

For those considering a career in banking, he encourages them to apply at their local bank and gain exposure to the various positions within the industry. According to Sears, being a banker is so much more than a job; it’s a career, whether you’re a teller, IT person, lender, marketer or something else.

“If you’re good at building relationships, there are endless opportunities within banking,” Sears says.