​Meet our knowledgeable professionals:

Staff Headshots 0020 Kevin Bruns
Kevin Bruns, CFP, CTFA
Executive Vice President, Wealth Management
Downtown Main Bank
Kevin serves as Executive Vice President of Wealth Management for Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, where he has led the Wealth Management team since joining in 2010. His vast credentials include Chartered Financial Planner (CFP®), Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA), and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA). With nearly 30 years of experience in financial planning, investments, and trust administration, Kevin is able to utilize his extensive knowledge of Wealth Management services to help his clients prepare for the future with confidence. Whether a client’s goals are to see the world, give back to the community, or to provide their family with financial security, Kevin’s approach of dedicated personal service and expertise can help customize a comprehensive asset and investment management plan to suit any client’s needs.

Kevin is actively involved in the Cedar Rapids community. He currently serves on the United Way Planned Giving Committee and Kirkwood Foundation Planned Giving Committee, Board of Trustees at Brucemore, and is a member and the past president of Cedar Rapids Area Estate Planning Council. He previously served on the board for Feed Iowa First, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and is a past treasurer/board member for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) of Eastern Iowa.
Staff Headshots 0033 Deb Gertsen08
Deborah Gertsen
Senior Vice President, Trust and Investments
Downtown Main Bank
Deborah J.L. Gertsen serves as Senior Vice President of Trust and Investments at Cedar Rapids Investment Consulting and is a LPL Financial Corporation (LPL) Consultant. In September 2003, Deb joined Cedar Rapids Investment Consulting, in conjunction with Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, and offers her clients over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. Deb uses a comprehensive wealth management approach that considers investments, taxes, insurance, wealth transfer, etc. to help each client develop and implement a plan to meet his/her financial goals. Deb provides overall investment management, retirement planning, including accumulation and distribution, and estate planning.

Deb is active in the Cedar Rapids community. She serves as a board member for Meth-Wick Community (Finance and Development Committees), treasurer for United Way of East Central Iowa (Executive, Finance, and Investment Committees) and Kirkwood Community College Foundation (Executive, Finance, and Investment Committees), trustee for Horizons, A Family Service Alliance. She is also a member of Cedar Rapids Downtown Rotary and Coe College's President's Advisory Council. Deb is on the advisory board for Coe College Birkey Investment Fund and volunteers for Cedar Valley Humane Society.
Staff Headshots 0010 Rick Seger 1
Rick Seger, JD, CLU, ChFC
Senior Vice President, Trust Officer
Downtown Main Office
As Senior Vice President and Trust Officer for Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Rick is responsible for trust and estate administration, with a specialty in helping diverse and complex family relationships establish the best approach to estate planning. He combines his trust and legal expertise, along with his commitment to delivering personal service, to provide his clients with comprehensive financial planning to meet their unique goals.

Prior to joining Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Rick most recently led the Trust Division and Wealth Management at Guaranty Bank & Trust (now CRBT). Rick graduated summa cum laude from Mount Mercy College (now Mount Mercy University) with a bachelor’s degree in science, and a juris doctorate degree with distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law. He also earned his credentials as CLU (Charterd Life Underwriter), primarily focused on life insurance estate planning and risk management) and ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant, with a focus on personal financial planning.

Rick is actively involved in the community. He currently serves as a board member for Wheelchair Ramp Accessibility Program (WRAP) and endowment board member and directors staff for El Kahir Shrine. Rick also serves as a member of Cedar Rapids Estate Planning Council (past board member), United Way Resource Management Committee, Kirkwood Alumni Leadership Council, Society of Financial Service Professionals – Eastern Iowa Chapter (past president).
Sara Fisette 18
Sara Fisette
Vice President
Downtown Main Office
As Vice President at Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Sara is responsible for administrating agency, trust, conservatorship and estate accounts, and overseeing retail individual retirement accounts. Sara joined Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust with over 32 year of trust experience. Prior to joining Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Sara was Vice President & Trust Officer at Guaranty Bank & Trust (now CRBT). Sara graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance from Mount Mercy College (now Mount Mercy University).

Sara is one of the original members that started the non-profit, Senior Guardian Project. She is past president of Aging Services and the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, along with several other boards in the community. She enjoys delivering Meals on Wheels and participating in the United Way Day of Caring.
Andrew Messerschmidt 21 Web
Andrew Messerschmidt, CFA
Assistant Vice President, Investment Officer
Downtown Main Office
As an Assistant Vice President, investment officer for Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Andrew works with clients by managing their investment portfolios, as well as security research and analysis. As a member of the investment group, Andrew works to provide ongoing due diligence of investments, as well as management of our preferred equities and mutual funds. Andrew received his bachelors degree from Augustana College and his MBA from Western Illinois University. In 2019, he earned his designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Andrew is active in the community and has volunteered with Junior Achievement, Operation Read, and United Way Day of Caring.
Matt Powers 24 Web
Matthew J. Powers, CFP®
Trust Officer
Downtown Main Office
As a Trust Officer at Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Matthew is responsible for administrating agency, trust, conservatorship and estate accounts, as well as managing accounts for corporate and non-profit organizations. As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with an investment background, Matthew focuses on retirement planning and aligning investments with the client’s goals in mind. Matthew joined Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust with over 10 years of banking experience. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from the University of Iowa.

After recently moving from the Quad Cities, Matthew is already active in the community serving as a Junior Achievement classroom volunteer.