Milwaukee market president and business banking president
Old National Bank | Milwaukee
Kevin Anderson is Milwaukee market president and business banking president for
Old National Bank, with responsibility for all commercial business banking group activities across Old National’s seven-state footprint. He was previously Wisconsin region CEO and Milwaukee region president for Old National. Prior to coming to Milwaukee, Anderson was a senior vice president for corporate banking in the Louisville, Kentucky, area. He serves on the boards of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Milwaukee Development Corp., and is a member of the Greater Milwaukee Committee.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Kentucky
What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the last 12 months?
“Old National Bank's physical entry into the Tennessee and North Carolina markets via our acquisition of Nashville-based CapStar Bank in the spring of 2024. This presents our company with the opportunity to expand into one of the country's fastest-growing regions and bring our new clients much improved financial tools and services. It's Old National's plan to use this further move south to expand our geographic reach into the heartland of the U.S.”
How do you see the future of your industry?
“More enhanced technology changes to speed and improve client service.”
What is one decision that you wish you didn’t make, and what did you learn from it?
“I would answer with a series of decisions that all point back to a habit that I have learned to better control. That decision is coming to conclusions too quickly without taking the time to fully ponder the alternative solutions. Never regret making time to think clearly about meaningful decisions or sleeping on them to make sure your thoughts are clear.”
What is one thing you would change about Wisconsin to make it even better?
“Expansion of educational opportunities for Wisconsin's disadvantages children and citizens.”
What advice would you give to someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
“Exhibit humility and become the best listener you can be. Certainly, get to know your colleagues on a personal level and discover what motivates them. It's an old adage but a true one, ‘Work to surround yourself with people who are more gifted than you are.’ Finally, never stop seeking to grow and learn new things and approaches to solve problems for your team. Your true value as a leader is in helping your team members be as successful as possible.”
What is your favorite Wisconsin destination?
“Hiking and sightseeing along the Ice Age Trails. What a gift for the people of Wisconsin.”
Is there anything new that you would like to learn this year?
“I've decided to better understand the future impact and application of AI within the financial services industry. I believe it will have a profound impact in the very near future.
What is your definition of success?
“Have you had a positive and lasting impact on the persons around you? To put it another way, is the environment you have been in better off then you found it because of your work?”
What are the most important traits to look for when hiring a new employee?
“For me, it's attitude, energy and work ethic. If someone has these three traits, they are more than halfway toward their goal of professional success. In the absence of these, no matter how intelligent, skilled or well-connected the person, the probability of success falls dramatically. The acquisition of key soft skills will have the longer-term positive impact on one's career.”
What’s your favorite movie and why?
“One of my favorites is a classic from the 1950s, ‘Twelve Angry Men’ starring Henry Fonda. The film reinforces the message of questioning our bias and asking tough questions when the stakes are the highest.”
What’s your favorite part of the workday?
“Early morning for sure. It presents the best opportunity to get off to a fast start with the least number of distractions.”
2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile
Banking and Finance
Market president
Old National Bank | Milwaukee
In 2019, Kevin Anderson was promoted to chief executive officer of the Wisconsin region for Evansville, Indiana-based Old National Bank. Earlier this year, he was named market president, assuming leadership for all commercial business banking group activities across the bank’s six-state footprint. Anderson has served on the MMAC’s board of directors since 2016 and sits on the boards of United Performing Arts Fund and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Kentucky
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
"Accounting department assistant. My takeaways from that first job were accountability and dependability. Learning to always be trustworthy and no task is too small not to do your very best."
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career?
"Always be willing to take calculated risk. Nothing significant can ever be achieved without the willingness to take some risk."
What is one book you think everyone should read and why?
"'David & Goliath' by Malcolm Gladwell. This is a wonderful book that provides examples and reminds us that perceived disadvantages are not what they appear to be. A great reminder for all of us in life."
What is your favorite Wisconsin restaurant and what do you order there?
"Five O’Clock Steakhouse, the classic Milwaukee supper club experience. You can’t beat the Surf & Turf special – best in Wisconsin."
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome?
"Navigating the financial crisis of 2008. The challenges were numerous, yet none greater than coming alongside clients and their leadership teams to make some difficult decisions about the future of their firms. For easily a period of 18 months we were working with companies to preserve jobs and financial flexibility so that growth could still be possible."
What advice would you give to a young professional?
"Strive to become a subject matter expert in a field you have strong interest in and wish to make your life's work. Expertise in any meaningful field can be invaluable as you build out your career."
What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the last 12 months?
"Old National Bank’s merger with Chicago-based First Midwest Bank has been transformative. It brings our company directly into one of the largest U.S. Midwest markets and nearly doubles our asset size and banking center reach. Additionally, it has allowed our Milwaukee-based team to merge with the legacy Park Bank franchise, with its stellar reputation for client service and growth."
What is one thing you would change about Wisconsin to make it even better?
"Not certain this would be a change or simply an improvement. Ensuring that every child in our great state has the opportunity for an outstanding primary education experience. We have the resources and educator talent to accomplish this goal. This one improvement would have a positive impact on Wisconsin's economy and growth for generations to come."
