Prominent Omaha banking leader Bruce Lauritzen died on Feb. 20 at the age of 80.
Lauritzen was named president of First National Bank of Omaha in 1987, was the fifth of six generations of family leadership. A $1 billion bank at the time Lauritzen was named president, FNBO has since grown to $30 billion, according to the Omaha World-Herald. Lauritzen was credited with significantly expanding the bank’s credit card issuing business line, and the bank also became a credit card processor during his tenure.
Under his leadership, First National Bank of Omaha expanded its footprint to six new states and constructed a business park and 45-story First National Tower in downtown Omaha. Lauritzen stepped away from many of his executive roles in 2000 as his wife, Kimball, became sick. He remained chair of FNBO until 2013, and chaired the bank’s holding company until 2020. Lauritzen also led Omaha-based holding company Lauritzen Corp., which owns and operates bank branches in Iowa and Nebraska along with insurance and financial companies.
Lauritzen was born on June 21, 1943, into a prominent local family. His great-great-grandfather, Thomas Davis, was the bank founder and one of the first shareholders. Bruce joined the bank in 1967 after receiving a master’s degree from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
Bruce’s son, First National Bank of Omaha Chair and President Clark Lauritzen, announced his father’s death on Feb. 21. “Bruce ensured that FNBO would remain privately-owned during many difficult times in the banking industry and gracefully transitioned FNBO to the sixth generation of family leadership,” Clark wrote. “Bruce leaves a tremendous legacy as a leader at FNBO, but also as a compassionate man with a great deal of respect and love for his family and commitment to his community.”