While bringing to life a TBK Bank precursor from a failing small financial institution in nearby Savanna, Illinois, Doug Kratz recalls noticing a charismatic young lawyer representing the other side. His partner and fellow THE Rock Island Bank alum Perry Hansen later agreed they had just identified their first president of what then was THE […]
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While bringing to life a TBK Bank precursor from a failing small financial institution in nearby Savanna, Illinois, Doug Kratz recalls noticing a charismatic young lawyer representing the other side.
His partner and fellow THE Rock Island Bank alum Perry Hansen later agreed they had just identified their first president of what then was THE National Bank.
However, John DeDoncker had one big problem when approached about the job.
“I have never made a loan or worked a day in my life in a bank,” Mr. DeDoncker remembers telling the pair.
Turns out, though, the two banking veterans had an eye for talent -- with Mr. DeDoncker hailed as a transformative figure locally both before and after his recent retirement as the Midwest Division President for TBK Bank. Mr. DeDoncker retired effective Jan. 1.
“Doug and Perry had the real vision,” deflected Mr. DeDoncker, during a telephone interview with the QCBJ while on a vacation in Florida.
“As a lawyer, I knew about the regulatory purchasing of banks – but otherwise I knew nothing about banking, so it was a huge leap of faith on their part,” he said.
Mr. Kratz recalls seeing a “bright, engaging natural leader” in the young law partner from Lane & Waterman, Davenport.
“We told him, ‘We can teach you what you need to know about banking, but relationships and community involvement, those are things we can't teach that you have,’” said Mr. Kratz, who also now is the owner of the Bettendorf sports complex bearing the TBK Bank name.
“We thought he would be terrific,” he added. “When you have a community bank like that you want to have a face of the bank, and John filled that role perfectly. We were lucky to find him.”
Under Mr. DeDoncker, THE National Bank began with a branch in Savanna and two more in neighboring Mount Carroll before quickly growing to offices in Bettendorf at Duck Creek Plaza. Local branches soon followed in East Moline, Moline and Aledo, as well as in the Illinois communities of Sterling, Canton and Havana.
By the summer of 2006 – with five times the growth of assets – THE National acquired Metro Bank locally to bring the number of branches to 18 after selling off some of the Metro Bank outlets.
Seven years later in 2013 and after surviving the financial crisis of 2009, THE National became part of the larger Triumph Bancorp, taking that name before later switching to the catchy TBK Bank moniker in 2018.
In fact, Mr. DeDoncker is now hailed by many for acquiring naming rights of the TBK Bank Sports Complex in north Bettendorf that his bank also funded with his old friend and boss.
“That’s probably the most visible, but that’s far from the only project to have come up roses during his tenure,” Mr. Kratz said.
“He's done a lot behind the scenes for this area most probably don’t know or even realize,” added local builder and developer Kevin Koellner. “John also put his bank behind the Quad Cities Marathon, for instance. He always does everything 110%, and he’s all about the community.”
Mr. DeDoncker said none of that will change for the foreseeable future, either.
The 58-year-old retiree will remain a community servant on the board of directors for Visit Quad Cities, HAVlife and the Davenport Country Club. He also will continue on the audit committee for the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce – and holds open the possibility of finding more volunteer opportunities.
Additionally, Mr. DeDoncker will maintain employment with TBK Bank – albeit for far fewer hours as the institution’s market ambassador.
“I have no truly set hour requirements or schedule,” said Mr. DeDoncker, who spent exactly 22 years as a bank president after practicing law for 12 years prior. “So, I won't be going in at 8 a.m. anymore, and I probably won't be having regular office hours until springtime when it's warmer.
“But I do intend to continue promoting the bank. I'm involved with a lot of things and part of my phase out agreement is that I will stay involved in those things – and stay involved with our clients to keep those relationships going.”
Mr. DeDoncker said this latest task is merely another example of him having the best bosses in his industry.
“To be the CEO of an acquired bank -- and to be with the acquirer nine years later -- really doesn't happen very often. But it really does speak to the quality of the people that manage and oversee Triumph,” Mr. DeDoncker said, pointing especially to Aaron Graft, the founder and CEO of Triumph Bancorp, headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
“We've had a beautiful relationship. They have said ‘You tell us what we need to do to support the communities that you're in.’ And so, I’m really quite proud of the many things we have done together,” Mr. DeDoncker added.
Included is a new five-year sponsorship agreement with the QC Marathon and continuing support for the Bettendorf Rotary’s Lobsterfest.
Mr. DeDoncker also proudly points to the bank donating its old downtown building in East Moline for use as his hometown’s public library. He and his siblings also made personal donations for one of the library’s meeting rooms to be named after their parents.
“We win when our clients and communities win, so I'm really quite proud of everything we have accomplished at the bank as I depart my day-to-day role,” Mr. DeDoncker said while pointing to success stories in areas as varied as real estate, manufacturing and online commerce.
“I worked with a great team of people -- and they are still there -- so I will do anything I can to support them. Amy Crist is the market head now. Her husband Ron Crist owns Duck Creek Tire -- and they are a couple that when you look at what they collectively do, I've left my position knowing that it's in very good hands with Amy.”
In retirement, Mr. DeDoncker plans to travel more with Jody, his wife of 32 years.
Included are more frequent visits to their oldest son, William, 31, who resides in Fort Collins, Colorado. Their youngest son, Walter, 28, is a civil engineer for IMEG locally and resides in Davenport.
Mr. DeDoncker also became an accomplished ultra-runner from his bank’s long-time sponsorship of the QC Marathon -- so he will chase a seventh finishers buckle this August at the withering Leadville Trail 100-mile Run in Colorado.
“They give a really enormous 1,000-mile buckle for anyone that has 10 finishes,” Mr. DeDoncker said. “So, that's what I'm going to try to do before I'm no longer able to run.”
“I'm also going to play a little bit more golf,” he said. “I’m looking to just enjoy our family and friends a little more.”
While warmer climates are calling during the worst of winter, Mr. DeDoncker said he has no intention of ever leaving his hometown.
“I like my four seasons – and one of our sons still lives here,” he explained. “We’ll still be spending eight to nine months every year here. This is still home.”
While Mr. DeDoncker said he still loved his job, the COVID-19 pandemic and 18 months working outside the office planted the seeds for an early retirement.
Also bringing those thoughts to the forefront in 2021 were the sudden deaths of two Alleman High School classmates – former Congressman Bobby Schilling and sports turf entrepreneur Steve Bush.
“The time just seemed right – and financially, I'm blessed that I don't think I'll run out of money anytime soon,” Mr. DeDoncker said. “And if I decide I miss work so much I can always go back.
“I just know my dad retired even earlier at 55 and I never ever heard him complain about it.”
