Banks among best Minnesota workplaces Five banks were honored recently by the Minneapolis Star Tribune with inclusion in the newspaper’s list of 100 top Minnesota workplaces. In the large company category, Bremer Bank of St. Paul ranked seventh and U.S. Bank ranked No. 30. In the midsize company category, State Bank & Trust of Fargo, … Read more
A majority of small business owners believe the U.S. economy is in recession and overall U.S. investor optimism is down, according to separate polls recently conducted by U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo. [Continue]
John Brown, the new executive vice president for the Independent Community Banks of North Dakota, has a passion for the industry’s next generation: “We need to invest in our young people; none of us is getting any younger.” [Continue]
Dusty Anderson has been promoted to senior vice president, agri-business development officer at First Dakota National Bank, Yankton, S.D. Anderson has been with First Dakota since 1998, serving as vice president, agri-business loan officer. Anderson is a graduate of the National College of Business in Rapid City, S.D. Starion Financial, Bismarck, N.D., announced four … Read more
There has been a certain recklessness about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that has made me uneasy about the new government agency from the start; apparently I am not alone. On June 21, a $293 million community bank in Texas filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Treasury Department and others challenging the constitutionality of the … Read more
In Todd Heilman’s childhood his family banked with Western State Bank. He did not expect it then but he would one day help that bank grow by $400 million in 15 years’ time. He was the man for the job; his work ethic and his taste for a challenge made him the perfect fit for … Read more
Henry Schutz is a people person and he is willing to do any job in the bank. These qualities made him a leader the bank needed as it managed difficult times. “In 2008, a lot of banks went through difficulties. This is my bank and my community. I’ve been here 20 years now; I felt … Read more
An auditor might not be the first person to come to mind when thinking of someone who fosters a culture of collaboration. Discarding the stereotypical “gotcha” approach, Sherri Van Beek has found another way. “People say auditors aren’t on this earth to make friends. I believe you need to make friends,” she said. Van Beek … Read more
As a technology person Tod Eastman is an anomaly. His banking experience got him a job with a technology company but his technology experience brought him back to banking. After graduating with a degree in economics, Eastman worked as a teller, retail banker, technology support analyst and finally chief technology officer. Each position has contributed … Read more
Bank earnings continue to improve The banking industry earned $35.3 billion in the first quarter, that’s a $6.6 billion improvement over first quarter 2011. Lower provisions for loan losses and higher noninterest income were responsible for most of the improvement, the FDIC reported on May 24. This is the 11th consecutive quarter that earnings have … Read more