Writer: BankBeat

Bank notes anniversary with weekly $100 drawing

Pine Country Bank of Little Falls, Minn., is celebrating its 90-year anniversary by giving $100 to a lucky customer every week until the end of the year. Formerly known as Royalton State Bank, it has been a locally owned and operated financial institution since 1927. Every year through its Hometown Pledge program, Pine Country Bank gives 5 percent of profits back to community organizations, and employees are allowed to volunteer during work hours to local nonprofits. [Continue]

Hockey facility to carry local bank’s name

The Chicago Blackhawks announced the team’s new, privately funded, $65 million facility will be known as the MB Ice Arena – Chicago Blackhawks Community Rink, reflecting sponsorship by MB Financial Bank. In addition to serving as the practice home for the Blackhawks and visiting National Hockey League teams, approximately 94 percent of the 125,000-square-foot facility’s use will be for the community, youth and adult hockey leagues. [Continue]

Banker argues for GSE reform

More than nine years after Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were first brought into the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, they remain there. Both the ICBA and the ABA addressed the House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance about the reform of the two government-sponsored enterprises Wednesday. [Continue]

Congressional denial of CFPB’s restriction on arbitration agreements

A Congressional denial of the CFPB’s restriction on arbitration agreements took another step forward late Tuesday night thanks to Vice President Mike Pence casting a tiebreaking vote in the Senate. With Republican Senators Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and John Kennedy (La.) voting with the Democrats, the Senate split 50-50, leaving it to Pence to break the tie on a resolution voiding the CFPB’s rule. [Continue]

Geoff Rand has joined First National Bank and Trust Company of Beloit

– Geoff Rand has joined First National Bank and Trust Company of Beloit, Wis., as vice president and retail market manager. Rand is responsible for FNBT’s branches in Rock County, including the four branches in Beloit as well as the Clinton and Janesville offices. Rand comes to FNBT with 25 years of banking experience, most recently at BMO Harris Bank in Janesville, Wis., where he was branch manager and, earlier, group market manager. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Rand has a bachelor of business administration degree with an emphasis in finance. [Continue]

IBMC and Iowa banks honored for home lending

The Iowa Finance Authority has recognized top lenders from throughout the state for their efforts in advancing affordable homeownership through IFA’s programs in 2016, and Iowa Bankers Mortgage Corporation (IBMC) was named the top lender. [Continue]

New KleinBank product offers convenience, security

KleinBank of Chaska, Minn., is one of the first community banks in Minnesota to offer a new mobile service to debit card users that helps defend against fraud and better manage spending. KleinBank’s new CardControl mobile app enables customers to turn their debit cards on or off, set spending limits, approve where and how the card can be used, and receive real time notifications. [Continue]

Minnesota banks rally for Community Impact Week

Nearly a third of the banks in Minnesota took part in Minnesota Bankers Community Impact Week, an attempt to further banks’ volunteerism and active roles in their communities. Ninety-six banks, and more than 250 branches, committed to a wide array of volunteer opportunities throughout the state during the week of Sept. 18-22. [Continue]