Prairie State Bank & Trust is excited to share that Jason Burgener, currently serving as a Treasury Sales Officer, will be expanding his role to also include Commercial Lending in our Eastern Region. Based out of our Mattoon office, Jason will continue to support business customers with treasury services while also working with businesses, municipalities, and individuals on their lending needs.
We sat down with Jason to learn more about his career journey, what excites him most about this new opportunity, and what inspires him both professionally and personally.
A Career Built on Relationships
Jason’s banking journey began back in 2012 when he accepted a role as a teller. At the time, he didn’t see banking as a long-term career path. But quickly, he discovered the impact he could have simply by delivering excellent customer service.
“I became enamored with how much of a difference you can make on someone’s day by providing an inviting, personal customer experience,” Jason recalls.
From that foundation, he moved into supervisory roles, eventually branch management, and after nearly a decade in retail banking, Prairie State offered him the chance to explore treasury and cash management. This shift allowed him to work directly with business customers, helping them streamline workflows while still drawing on the relationship-building skills he’d sharpened over the years.
Now, stepping into commercial lending, Jason sees it as the perfect opportunity to merge all those experiences:
“As a commercial lender at Prairie State, I’ll be able to meld all those unique skills and relationships together to help our businesses and community grow. It’s been quite a journey, and I’m excited for what’s on the horizon!”
Proudest Professional Moment
When asked about a career highlight, Jason didn’t hesitate: Prairie State’s digital conversion of the business online banking platform.
The conversion wasn’t outsourced or automated—it was handled personally, one business at a time. “Doing that manually as we did, took a lot of time but allowed us to onboard our customers personally, address their questions, and eliminate concerns in real time,” Jason explains. “It was incredibly rewarding and gave me a chance to immediately understand the needs of our business customers.”
Looking Ahead in Mattoon
As a commercial lender, Jason will be based in Mattoon, where he’ll focus on growing Prairie State’s presence in the region by building new relationships and deepening existing ones. He’s especially energized by the chance to support local businesses and municipalities while continuing his treasury work.
“Lending is a new role for me, and it’s extremely exciting to develop a skill set that allows me to really wrap my arms around our customers’ needs—whatever they may be,” Jason shares. “My family and I are also relocating to Mattoon, and we’re thrilled to be joining this community.”
Jason sees Mattoon as a community on the rise and is eager to be part of its growth:
“The Mattoon area is fast-growing with a lot of exciting things happening! I’m excited to engage with the community, forge relationships, and help Prairie State be a true partner in the continued growth of this great area.”
Beyond the Bank
Outside of work, Jason enjoys time with his wife, Katie, and their two children, Daisy (9) and Charlie (6). Fun fact: he and Katie actually met as bank tellers more than a decade ago.
He’s also an avid sports card collector, a hobby he loved as a kid and rediscovered as an adult—now sharing it with his children. When it’s time to relax, Jason gravitates toward classics like The Godfather films, the series Mad Men, and podcasts such as Business Wars and The Bill Simmons Podcast.
Words of Advice
Jason’s guidance for anyone starting out in banking is simple but powerful:
“Embrace building relationships with your customers right away! The relationships you develop will be the foundation on which your career is built.”
At Prairie State Bank & Trust, we’re proud to see Jason continue to grow his career with us while deepening his commitment to the communities we serve. His passion for relationships, combined with his treasury expertise and new lending role, will no doubt bring lasting impact to businesses and families in the Eastern Region.