#QuickTakes: Chuck Mueller

Chuck Mueller, CEO of Fidelity Bank in Edina, Minn., was chosen as BankBeat’s 2021 Banker of the Year for his work shepherding the bank to success over the last 12 years while mentoring its next generation of leadership.

Here, he discusses how Fidelity has benefitted from early adoption of a niche lending identity, how becoming president of the bank in 2008 taught him skills to use during COVID-19, and where he turns his focus after passing on presidential duties to Todd Williams.

Fidelity’s philosophy of building culture is “hiring out of school and trying to identify on the front end individuals who we think…understand the process,” he said. “If you’re trying to build a relationship banking model, it starts at home, working with your people and having a relationship with them.”