Celebrating 50 Years in Banking: Honoring Rose Harberts and Tom Neuhaus

Pictured with Rose are Keith Garms, Jim Moritz, Rose Harberts, Adam Weigand, Kathy Mueller

For 50 years, Rose Harberts and Tom Neuhaus have built careers rooted in banking, community and relationships.

The Iowa Bankers Association recently recognized both FreedomBankers for reaching the remarkable milestone of 50 years in banking. Rose attended the IBA’s 50-Year Club luncheon on Monday, September 21, while Tom was unable to attend.

Their careers began at two local community banks that would eventually become FreedomBank: Rose started at Postville State Bank in 1976, while Tom began at Farmersburg Savings Bank in 1975. Over the past five decades, both have witnessed tremendous changes in banking while remaining committed to the customers, communities and relationships that have always been at the heart of their work.

Today, we are proud to celebrate Rose and Tom and the lasting contributions they have made to FreedomBank and the communities we serve.

Rose Harberts | 50 Years in Banking

Rose Harberts began a successful and fulfilling career in banking in 1976 at Postville State Bank, which eventually became FreedomBank. She has taken advantage of every training and opportunity for career growth and has enjoyed sharing new knowledge with her coworkers. The opportunity to mentor colleagues and help customers has provided her with a deep sense of pride and accomplishment. She credits the Iowa Bankers Association for playing a significant role in her professional development through resources and training opportunities. Harberts has built meaningful relationships in her community through participation in Town celebrations, walking in parades, attending county airs, and serving on several church committees. She is also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She strongly encourages young people to consider a career in banking, saying no two days are the same and there is a great satisfaction in helping customers navigate their financial needs. Harberts is grateful for the relationships she has formed over the last 50 years at FreedomBank.

Tom Neuhaus | 50 Years in Banking

Tom Neuhaus began his banking career in 1975 at Farmersburg Savings Bank, which was one of the smallest institutions in the state at the time, and eventually became FreedomBank. Neuhaus spent many years managing the Farmersburg office before transferring to Monona and retired as executive vice president in 2019. He has always strongly believed in community involvement, serving 24 years as trustee and treasurer of Central Community Hospital in Elkader, 21 years on the NEIA Telephone Company board, as well as being active in Dollars for Scholars, church and county boards, scholarship committees, and the Monona Housing board. Neuhaus also continues to serve on the board of directors for FreedomBank, the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and the holding company. Growing up on a small dairy farm instilled the values of hard work and community principles that guided him through his career as well as the challenging times, like the 1980s farm crisis. He is grateful for lasting relationships with customers, coworkers, and the agricultural community.

Fifty years in banking is an extraordinary milestone, and we are grateful to have Rose and Tom as part of the FreedomBank story.

Their careers reflect so much of what community banking is about: building relationships, helping customers navigate important financial decisions, investing in local communities and sharing knowledge with the people around them. Their 50 years of service also span a significant part of FreedomBank’s own history, from the days of Postville State Bank and Farmersburg Savings Bank to the employee-owned community bank we are today.

Please join us in congratulating Rose and Tom on this well-deserved recognition and thanking them for five decades of service to banking, their communities and FreedomBank.