Family Philosophies

1. Treat people how you would want to be treated.  

2. Surround yourself with good people for employees.

3. Don't gouge people. Charge a fair price for the services rendered. 

4. Admit what you don't know and make the connection with people who do know. 

--Fred H. Bruning (1965)

"We serve those who need money, as well as those that have saved it and entrusted this bank with it. "  

--Frank L. Bruning (1966)

"We want to remain large enough to serve you.  Small enough to know you. "

--Frank Bruning (1966)

"Our families’ philosophy is to employ good people and empower them to grow personally while meeting the financial need of our customers. "

  --Fred D. Bruning (2000)

Brief History

On August 19, 1891, at a meeting at the Fillmore County Bank in Strang, Nebraska, the GERMAN BANK of Bruning was organized.  The bank, with a capital of $10,000, opened for business and the first day showed deposits of $100 and expenditures of $53.20 for misc. supplies.

In December of 1892, a group of nine investors bought controlling interest.  These investors included:  Frank D. Bruning, Samuel Fitzsimmons, George Buss, R.A. Piggott, W.H. Dempster, J.E. Day, Anthony Martin, S.J. Fitzsimmons, and Mr. Bothwell.  Frank Bruning was elected president and began forty years of service.

In 1912, at the age of 17, Fred H. Bruning, the son Frank D. Bruning, was employed as assistant cashier.  His career here lasted 53 years.

In 1918, during WWI, the name changed from GERMAN BANK to BRUNING STATE BANK.

In April of 1921, Bruning State Bank purchased the Farmer’s State Bank across the street and moved into their building until 1966. 

In 1933 a moratorium was declared and 415 banks closed for 3 days by order of the State Banking Department.  On the 4^th day, Bruning State Bank opened 100% with no restrictions.

In 1942, Fred H. Bruning assumed the office of president of the bank.  He was also a president of the Nebraska Bankers Association.  Paul Bruning, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, became a director of the bank in 1942.  Paul served on the board for 54 years.

Frank L. Bruning was elected to the board of directors, and in 1964, began work in the bank.  Upon the death of his father, Fred H. Bruning in 1965, Frank became president.

Personifying the fourth generation of Bruning family bankers is Fred D. Bruning.  Fred joined the bank in 1990 As Vice President.  Fred also serves as a director and President of Bruning Bancshares, Inc., Bruning State Bank’s holding company.

The 75^th Anniversary of Bruning State Bank in 1966 coincided with the dedication of our new building.  The Bank’s capital was $100,000 and assets totaled $3,383,317.  Since then we have had 5 additions to our building.

In 1991, the one-hundredth anniversary of our founding, Capital and Surplus totaled $2,000,000, Assets were at $51,542,000, and deposits were standing at $44,923,000.  Our Capital and Surplus has more than tripled, growing to $12,400,000, our Assets have jumped to $128,000,000 and our Deposits have grown to around $99,000,000.

1991 also brought with it growth in another aspect.  In March, we added a Loan Production Office in Hebron.  In 1996, it became a full-service Branch.

Bruning Bancshares, Inc., once again brought on new opportunities for the employees of Bruning State Bank in 2000. In 2005, the Bank of Broken Bow, a branch of Bruning State Bank was created, joining Hebron as the second branch of Bruning State Bank. In 2007, Chris Tonniges, Frank L. Bruning's grandson, joined the bank as 5th generation.