Vekich embraces reputation as ‘Mr. Fix-it’
Michael Vekich has become known among politicians and the press as the fix-it man, or the go-to guy. “I’ve been fixing organizations for a long time,” he said, whether it’s governmental, public, private companies or banks, as an accountant. The firm he bought in 1978 ultimately led him to practice ...
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March is for recognizing directors
My hat’s off to all directors, especially outside directors — the folks who bring experience and knowledge from other industries ...
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Fleck brings urban flair to rural bank
On the wall behind Fran Fleck’s home office desk in Des Moines, Iowa, hangs a quote by the late Supreme ...
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Toward a safe workplace
At the beginning of February, the state of Indiana lowered the eligibility threshold for COVID-19 vaccinations to age 65. One ...
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Chronicles
First Mid buys two insurance agencies
Mattoon, Ill.-based First Mid Bancshares acquired two Illinois insurance agencies through its subsidiary First Mid Insurance Group ...
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FIBT buys Sioux Falls mortgage company
First International Bank & Trust in Watford City, N.D., is moving into South Dakota via acquisition of a mortgage brokerage ...
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Kansas law offers tax exemption for ag real estate loans, interest income
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed into law an economic recovery bill that could increase parity at the state level between ...
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Nebraska banks merging
The First National Bank of Chadron is merging with its sister charter Homestead Bank, Cozad, later this year ...
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CSBS announces 2021 priorities, personnel changes
The Conference of State Banking Supervisors wants to focus on networked supervision to help standardize regulation ...
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U.S. Bank launches new diversity initiatives
Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank is adding another series of actions aimed to promote diversity and combat racial wealth inequality ...
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People
Stearns Bank launches M&A team
One Minnesota bank is setting its sights on a potentially aggressive acquisition strategy in 2021 with a three-person team dedicated ...
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Edgington named SVP retail banking
One Community Bank in Oregon, Wis., has promoted Shelley Edgington to senior vice president of retail banking ...
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Dunlap bank promotes president
Josh Gran has been named president and CEO of Community Bank in Dunlap, Iowa. He replaces Jay Randall in the ...
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Opinion
Losing sleep but not heart
Revenue related to mortgage refinance is likely to be less this year than it was last year. A decline in ...
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Experts see economy taking flight with federal help
We can all be excused for feeling déjà vu — 2021 does feel a little like 2009, the last time ...
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‘The best year ever’ for small banks? Not so fast.
The Paycheck Protection Plan drove customers and revenue to community banks in large numbers last year, leading many to see ...
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Community Relations
Cortrust donates to fire department
The Glencoe, Minn., fire department is getting a little brighter thanks to a donation from CorTrust Bank, Sioux Falls, S.D ...
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Unison Bank makes donation touchdown
North Dakota’s Unison Bank is contributing $500,000 to a football field and track renovation project for the University of Jamestown ...
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Iowa banks underwrite library building
The Marion, Iowa, public library’s campaign to raise funds for a new building has gotten a boost from a group ...
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