St. Cloud, Minn.-based Stearns Bank N.A. and the African Development Center are working together to provide $10 million to the ADC to make loans in underbanked communities in central Minnesota. ADC is expected to identify loan opportunities and disperse funds to qualified borrowers. The funding builds on the existing partnership between Stearns and African Development. … Read more
Scot Thompson joined Marshfield, Wis.-based Forward Bank as vice president/senior business development leader. A banker with more than 35 years of experience, Thompson has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Interstate Business College. “I’ve maintained connections with members of the Forward team, since a few of us worked together years ago and we stay … Read more
Charles City, Iowa-based First Security Foundation donated $10,000 toward the construction of a splash pad in Riceville, Iowa. The splash pad will be 1,000 square feet and include a donor wall, privacy fences and seating. The park where the splash pad will be includes tennis courts, basketball hoops, picnic shelters and a playground. Of the … Read more
Merrillville, Ind.-based Centier Bank donated $3,000 to the Franciscan Health Prenatal Assistance Program to support the diaper pantry at the Franciscan Physician Network St. Clare Health Center in Crown Point, Ind. The pantry provides free diapers, wipes, formula and other essential items for parents in financial need. The donation will support the partnership between Franciscan … Read more
Lake City, Fla.-based First Federal Bank is acquiring the mortgage division of Bismarck, N.D.-based BNCCORP. [Continue]
Small business optimism fell last month amid high-profile bank failures and ongoing interest rate hikes, according to the NFIB. [Continue]
Merrillville, Ind.-based Centier Bank named Armon Curd as senior vice president and director of its Client Contact Center. Curd most recently served as executive vice president of customer experience at DC Water, a drinking water provider in Washington, D.C. He graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion. “I love working with people and enriching the … Read more
Carmel, Ind.-based Merchants Bank of Indiana hired Karin Cook as vice president, treasury management officer. Cook has nearly two decades of experience in banking, most recently as VP, banking center manager for the National Bank of Indianapolis. She has a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University, Muncie, Ind. “We are eager to welcome [Cook] to … Read more
As the Federal Open Market Committee continues to raise rates, the labor market across the United States remains tight. Unemployment sat at 3.4 percent in January, and was even lower across much of the Midwest. [Continue]
Employees of Mattoon, Ill.-based First Mid Bancshares recorded more than 15,800 hours of volunteer work last year. Each volunteer can choose a local organization to receive $500 from First Mid on their behalf. The $6.7 billion company, parent company of First Mid Bank & Trust N.A., First Mid Insurance Group and First Mid Wealth Management … Read more