Some of her customers may describe her as the “heart and soul” of U.S. Bank in Perryville. However at the end of the month, Bonnie Geringer is calling it a career after 32 years at the bank.
“Now is just the time to walk away,” Geringer said. “I have my first grandbaby and I’m going to spoil him in my retirement years. That’s my top priority.”
Geringer began her career at the bank in September 1988 as a part-time teller before working at the bank full-time shortly after that. Geringer has held nearly every position since including compliance officer, supervisor, and consumer loan officer, before becoming a licensed financial specialist in 2002 and then moving to her current position as a Licensed Personal Banker. Through the years, Geringer has enjoyed her more than three decades at the bank.
“I’ve been through a lot of technology, compliance and even name changes here over the years. Now we are going through a pandemic.” Geringer said. “There have been some challenges, like with any job, but I would never have thought that I would be here this long.”
Geringer has also seen plenty of success over the years. After becoming a financial specialist, Geringer began selling annuities and was so successful in that field that she sold more than one million dollars worth in just a few months. She later received a phone call from the CEO congratulating her on this achievement.
My phone rang one day and he said that he wanted to speak with me because they had never had a one million dollar producer so quickly,” Geringer said. “Everyone thought that it was an April Fools joke that the CEO in Minneapolis would call me from the little town of Perryville.”
Along with that, part of the reason for the longevity at bank has been the love for many of her co-workers, but most of all assisting the customers.
“I have made so many friends, that started out as customers here and that relationship has grown over the years,” Geringer said. “I have loved working and interacting with the people of the community. That may be the biggest difference when I retire, I really have no idea what to expect.”
Geringer hopes that she has done right by her customers over the years.
The customers’ confidence in allowing me to work with them to help plan out their retirement, or whatever the case may be, has been the most rewarding experience,” Geringer said.
Geringer believes it will be tough transitioning to life outside of U.S. Bank, but that it will be worth it.
“It was a tough decision to make and it will be hard not coming into work after 32 years, but I think I made the right one,” Geringer said.
