BND Logo

 

We are pleased to assist our client, Bank of North Dakota (BND) in finding their next President & Chief Executive Officer. BND is a state-owned, state-run financial institution based in Bismarck, North Dakota. Established in 1919, it is the only state government-owned general-service bank in the United States, and under state law it is the State of North Dakota doing business as the Bank of North Dakota.

The BND President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) reports to the North Dakota Industrial Commission, composed of the Governor, Attorney General and Agricultural Commissioner of the State of North Dakota. The position is responsible for the overall strategic and operational performance of Bank of North Dakota. The President/CEO is responsible for the management of the enterprise in fulfillment of the declared objectives and within the framework of policies recommended by the Bank Advisory Board and approved by the Industrial Commission. The President/CEO leads the implementation and achievement of the Bank’s current and future strategic direction and ensures delivery of strategic and operational key performance results and outcomes across the organization.

To learn more about the Responsibilities and Preferred Qualifications please view the link below:

Position Specifications

To apply please send your resume to Tamara at tamara.wesely@eflassociates.com

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Starion Bank

Located in our Mandan branch, this position delivers high-quality customer service by providing deposit operations support to all 16 branches and customers in North Dakota and Wisconsin.

Responsibilities include:

  • Process NSF’s
  • Resolve/process non-post deposit items
  • Process ACH exceptions, returns along with ACH disputes
  • Process return items
  • Balance general ledger accounts
  • Processing and balancing of daily transactions
  • Wires
  • Debit card, Credit card and ATM transaction balancing along with dispute processing
  • Process check adjustments
  • Mobile deposit review
  • Balance official checks
  • Overdraft Management
  • Account maintenance and other miscellaneous duties
  • Address changes
  • Promote and cross sell bank services

You should have:

  • The equivalent of an associate’s degree
  • One to two years of bookkeeping and/or operations experience
  • Strong mathematical and problem-solving skills
  • Multi-tasking and decision-making skills
  • Computer skills including Outlook, Word and Excel
  • Exceptional customer service skills.

Starion Bank offers a competitive salary and a full comprehensive benefit package including health, life, dental, vision, health savings account, 401K, profit sharing, paid vacation, and holidays.

Join our team and work at a bank recognized as “Best of the Best” by Independent Banker magazine, “50 Best Places to Work” by Prairie Business magazine and “Top 10 Workplaces” by Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network! Apply online at www.starionbank.com/careers.

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Starion Bank

 

Are you a detailed, disciplined, ethical and action oriented? If so, you would be an excellent fit at Starion! Starion prides itself in being:

  • A stable, financially secure banking organization started in 1969, with banking roots that began as far back as 1886!
  • A family-owned, supercommunity bank!
  • A member of the Bismarck-Mandan business community!
  • Recognized as “Best of the Best” by Independent Banker magazine!
  • Recognized as “50 Best Places to Work” by Prairie Business magazine!

We are seeking an Executive Assistant/Board Secretary in Bismarck!

Responsibilities:

  • Provide confidential administrative support to the Chairman of the Board and Starion Bank Board of Directors
  • Coordinates meetings, events, training, travel arrangements and other functions for Chairman of the Board
  • Event Planning for Board Meetings (making reservations, travel arrangements, scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, minutes and reports, etc.) monthly, quarterly and annually
  • Maintain digital and physical filing systems to include managing retention schedule, purging records, and recognizing legal, archival and administrative value of records

 

Qualifications

  • Three to five years of similar or related experience
  • Flexible schedule
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and problem-solving skills with ability to convey a positive attitude and maintain a high degree of confidentiality, diplomacy and tact.
  • Strong time-management skills and ability to organize and coordinate multiple projects at once
  • Must be able to work independently.

 

Starion Bank offers a competitive salary and a full comprehensive benefit package including health, life, dental, vision, health savings account, 401K, profit sharing, paid vacation and holidays.

Join our team! Apply at www.starionbank.com/careers!


Starion Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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Starion Bank

We are seeking a Business Banking Representative in Mandan!

This position is not eligible for remote work. Must be able to work in office daily.

In this role, you will:

  • Provide support including recording and maintaining documents in accordance with established policies and procedures
  • Process loan advances, payments, credit bureau reports
  • Have regular customer contact via phone, email, and in person
  • Promote Starion Bank and all products and services

You should be:

Customer-focused—happy to help others, genuinely curious about an array of industries, and hungry to learn new sales best practices at any stage of your career

Detail Oriented – give tasks undivided attention and catch mistakes, errors or changes

In the know—always keeping up with policies, procedures and regulations

Self-aware—including highly intentional about your decision-making processes, and skilled in communicating them to diverse colleagues and customers

You should have:

  • Excellent communication skills, oral and written
  • Organizational and Time Management skills

Starion Bank is a growing community bank known for providing local leadership, personalized service and community loyalty. We foster a culture where you can grow both professionally and personally, and we treat employees as our most important organizational asset.

We offer a competitive salary and a full comprehensive benefit package including health, life, dental, vision, health savings account, 401K, profit sharing, paid vacation and holidays.

Join our team and work at a bank recognized as “Best of the Best” by Independent Bankers magazine and “50 Best Places to Work” by Prairie Business magazine! Apply online at www.starionbank.com/careers.

Starion Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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Happy New Year, everyone! As I write this, we are enjoying an open winter with highs approaching 50 degrees this week. What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time, my quarter-mile driveway and turn-around felt more like 5 miles and looked more like a snow tunnel than a paved driveway. Absent the cold snap a couple weeks ago, it’s been a very mild winter. I hope I haven’t jinxed it by commenting too soon as there’s plenty of winter left.

ICBND Chairman Jason Johnson, in his Chairman’s Remarks on the previous page, commented about the ongoing battles at federal level and the upcoming ICBA Convention (March 14-17) and the ICBA Capital Summit (April 28 – May 1). These are great events to network with your counterparts across the country and advocate for community banking in Washington, DC.

Closer to home, we are proud of the calendar of events that Jessie and Lindsay have assembled for 2024. If you’ve not already received them, you will be getting “Save the Date” postcards for our 2024 educational events and a separate postcard for the 56th Annual ICBND Convention. A summary of those events is as follows:

  • January 30-31 Front-Line Banking Certification, Virtual
  • March 1 Emerging Leaders – Winter Session, Grand Forks
  • February 23 Community Bankers for Compliance – Reg. Update, Virtual
  • April 16-17 Community Bankers for Compliance – Spring Session, Bismarck
  • May 1-2 Women in Community Banking Summit, Bismarck
  • May 10 Community Bankers for Compliance – Reg. Update, Virtual
  • May 22 FDIC Directors College, Bismarck
  • June 10-14 ICBND School of Agriculture Lending, Bismarck
  • June 25-26 Emerging Leaders – Summer Session, Medora
  • August 13-14 ICBND 56th Annual Convention, Bismarck
  • August 16 Community Bankers for Compliance, Reg. Update, Virtual
  • September 24-25 Emerging Leaders – Fall Session, Jamestown
  • October 1 Policies & Procedures Session, Bismarck
  • October 2 Fraud Symposium, Bismarck
  • October 15-16 Community Bankers for Compliance – Fall Session, Bismarck
  • November 8 Community Bankers for Compliance – Reg. Update, Virtual
  • Ongoing Education Webinars Powered by FinEd, Virtual

We appreciate your support of past events and are hopeful to see you and your coworkers at some of these exciting and informative upcoming events.

Keep the faith through the rest of the winter and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Barry

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Starion Bank

Customer Service Call Center Representative

Are you customer focused, disciplined, ethical, and actin oriented? Do you encourage and inspire others to do their best? Do you enjoy working in a fast-pace, tech driven environment? If so, you would be an excellent fit at Starion!
 
Starion is seeking a Customer Service Call Center Representative in Mandan.
 
Must be available to work in our Mandan location. Hours for this position could vary daily between 7 AM and 6 PM Monday – Friday and will be included in a Saturday rotation.
 
Title and salary dependent on experience.
 
At Starion Bank, we’re looking for talented people who will put our customers at the center of everything we do. Join our diverse team where you’ll feel valued and inspired to contribute your unique skills and experience.
 
The Customer Service Call Center Representative will
• Process and manage online accounts and consumer loans
• Deliver advanced digital and online offerings (online, mobile, social, phone, email chat at more)
• Enhance the customer experience while providing solutions to customers
• Provide customers with convenient ways to manage their accounts and provide solutions that meet their financial needs
• Serve all Starion Bank locations throughout North Dakota and Wisconsin
 
Customer Service Call Center Representatives are responsible for responding to routine and complex customer inquiries regarding consumer products and services as well as
• Quickly answer customer inquiries in a friendly and courteous manner
• Deliver exceptional service
• Provide first call resolution while following procedures that meet compliance guidelines
• Identify and offer customers the products and services they need and want to succeed financially
• Complete weekly tasks as assigned
• Assist customers with navigating and troubleshooting various online products
 
Preferred Qualifications:
• One or more years of customer service experience
• Experience in a call center or customer service setting
• General understanding of standard bank transactions as well as common products and services
• Bilingual in English and Spanish desired but not required
One or more years of customer service experience
• Experience in a call center or customer service setting
• General understanding of standard bank transactions as well as common products and services
• Bilingual in English and Spanish desired but not required
 
Starion Bank offers a competitive salary and a full comprehensive benefit package including health, life, dental, vision, health savings account, 401K, profit sharing, paid vacation and holidays.
 
Join our team and work at a bank recognized as “Best of the Best” by Independent Business magazine, “50 Best Places to Work” by Prairie Business magazine and “Top 10 Workplaces” by Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network! Apply online at www.starionbank.com/careers.
 
Starion Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

BISMARCK, ND – The National Servicing Center of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has once again ranked North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) as a Tier 1 Federal Housing Administration loan servicer. The ranking for fiscal year 2023 marks the agency’s sixth consecutive year to receive this recognition.

The HUD ranking system evaluates FHA servicer compliance with guidelines, intervention requirements, loss mitigation engagement, and reporting, aiming to safeguard borrowers and alert HUD to potential issues. An important indicator of servicer effectiveness is the work-out ratio, demonstrating the ability to work with delinquent borrowers and prevent foreclosures.

Dave Flohr, executive director of NDHFA stated, “This distinction underscores our ongoing commitment to helping homeowners work through financial challenges. Homeowners who experience financial difficulties work with NDHFA staff one-on-one to navigate these issues, preserving the stability of their homes.”

Out of 624 participating FHA servicers nationwide, NDHFA was one of 147 loan servicers ranked as Tier 1. NDHFA achieved an impressive FY2023 score of 94.06%, reflecting an increase from the previous year’s score of 91.92%. The agency currently services approximately 12,400 loans, with 50% being FHA guaranteed.

Known for affordable mortgage loans as well as down payment and closing cost assistance through the FirstHome™ program, NDHFA services its own loans as well as loans for the Bank of North Dakota and local nonprofit housing providers.

Flohr stated, “NDHFA provides affordable home financing that can help individuals and families of modest means achieve and maintain their dream of homeownership.

NDHFA is a self-supporting and mission-driven state agency dedicated to making housing affordable for all North Dakotans. The North Dakota Industrial Commission, consisting of Gov. Doug Burgum, as the chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney General Drew H. Wrigley, oversees the agency. More information about NDHFA is available online at www.ndhfa.org.

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For Immediate Release                                                                                                   December 27, 2023

Bank of North Dakota Loans Replenish Cattle Herds

BISMARCK, N.D. – Bank of North Dakota (BND) reports that approximately 16,000 head of cattle were replenished in the state with the assistance of the Livestock Rebuilders Loan Program in 2022 and 2023. It was established to strengthen the livestock industry after the 2021 drought when beef cow numbers decreased by 89,000 head. The program closed June 30, 2023.

The drought created hay shortages, forcing producers to purchase and transport hay from other states. A statewide drought disaster was declared. The Livestock Rebuilders Loan Program was part of a suite of programs rolled out by the state including the Emergency Feed Transportation Assistance Program administered by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the Livestock Drought Loan Program administered by BND.

“The state’s response to the 2021 drought is an example of what makes North Dakota so successful,” said members of the Commission in a joint statement. The Commission, consisting of Gov. Doug Burgum as chairman, Attorney General Drew Wrigley, and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, oversees BND. “We are able to work with key stakeholders who determine needs and state agencies that work together to respond quickly, and that sets us apart from so many others.”

The loan was available for up to a seven-year term with a fixed interest rate of 3.50%.

Local banks and credit unions serve as the loan program conduit for BND programs. For this effort, 32 different financial institutions, and a total of 58 branches within them, accessed the program for their customers. There were 196 loans made for a total loan amount of $26,650,860, of which BND funded $18,549,013.

“Once again, our local financial institutions deserve a great deal of credit for facilitating the disaster relief loan for their customers,” stated BND President/CEO Todd Steinwand. “As a local lender, they know their customers better than anyone. They provided valuable input as we developed the terms of the loan, and then applied for the funds on behalf of their customers who qualified.”

The Bank’s mission “to support agriculture, commerce and industry” has not changed since its earliest days in 1919. The Bank of North Dakota is the only state-owned bank in the nation.

For more information: Janel Schmitz BND Communications & Marketing Manager 328.5880

Karen Tyler, Executive Director and Secretary

Reice Haase, Deputy Executive Director

State Capitol, 14th Floor - 600 E Boulevard Ave Dept 405 - Bismarck, ND 58505-0840 %20ktyler@nd.gov">E-Mail: ktyler@nd.gov

Phone: (701) 328-3722

www.nd.gov

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I hope this message finds you recovering from the Thanksgiving holiday. Typically, it’s my favorite holiday involving good food, family, friends, and football. Stacey and I had a quiet one, however, this year as two of our daughters, our sons-in-law, and their kids were with the in-laws. So, we put up Christmas decorations (well…Stacey did), relaxed and dined on a typical Thanksgiving staple - lasagna! We’re planning our revenge however by ruining our four grandkids (with another on the way) at Christmas!

As I look back on 2023, I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to represent you all and the interests of community banking in North Dakota and nationally. And I’m proud of our accomplishments this past year at the 68th Assembly of the North Dakota Legislature.

During the Regular Session, your association, which exclusively represents the interests of community banking, fared well. ICBND and especially its member bankers were instrumental in the defeat of the retail lobby’s efforts to limit interchange fees. Similarly, we squashed the credit unions’ aggressive and expensive campaign to expand their fields of membership. And we were also successful in defeating the most problematic of the anti-ESG bills.

At the federal level, the FDIC recently ruled (3-2 vote) that community banks with less than $5 billion in uninsured deposits will be exempt from its special assessment to replenish the Deposit Insurance Fund due to the failures of SVB and Signature Bank. This will rightfully save community banks nearly $3 billion over the next two years. Absent the advocacy and credibility of community bankers and their associations, I suspect there would have been a different result.

Moving forward, I’m thankful for the direction that your ICBND and ICB Services Boards of Directors provide us as we advocate for the best interests of community banking. I appreciate the time and effort that these dedicated individuals provide for the betterment of community banking.

Finally, I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Until next time,

Barry

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I hope you are enjoying a glorious fall in North Dakota. This is easily my favorite time of year. I hope we can hold onto it into November! Wishful thinking…I know.

Just this afternoon, news broke that the North Dakota Supreme Court struck down a key budget bill – that of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This is the funding bill for much of state government and was the last bill to be finalized during the most recent Legislative Session. And it often gathers other “cats and dogs” that aren’t necessarily budgetary in nature (i.e. last chance to impute policy issues). Therein lies the rub, at least for the board overseeing North Dakota’s government retirement plans. The OMB bill included a change that increased the number of lawmakers who sit on the board from two to four. The board opposed this and challenged its constitutionality. Given the court’s ruling, the Legislature will need to convene. They could reconvene using the five days they saved from the 80-day constitutional limit. Or Governor Burgum could call a special session. Either way, it will have to be quick! One just never knows what might crop up on an otherwise run-of-the-mill Thursday!

While we’re already into the last quarter of the year, please keep in mind that we still have a couple very timely educational sessions remaining on the 2023 calendar including “Community Bankers for Compliance Fall Regulatory 2-Day Seminar” on October 17-18 and the “Real Estate Construction Lending Workshop” on October 25-26 which is back by popular demand. We’re also in the planning stages of some new and exciting educational offerings for 2024 so stay tuned!

Until next time,

Barry

The 68th Legislative Assembly of the North Dakota Legislature wrapped up in the wee hours of Sunday morning, April 30th which marked the 75th Legislative Day of the session saving five days during the interim if there’s a need to reconvene. While we didn’t get everything we wanted from this session, independent community banking fared well particularly given our defeat of limitations on interchange fees and squashing the credit unions’ aggressive and expensive campaign to expand their fields of membership! I won’t belabor this message with details from the session as you’re probably just starting to recover from my weekly legislative updates the first four months of the year! Moving forward, we are beyond pleased to announce ICBND’s 55th Annual Convention and Exposition which carries the theme “Community Banks: Your Country Needs You”. How appropriate is that given what’s happened in the banking world as of late? Your Convention Committee nailed it with this theme. Please mark your calendars for August 6-8 and note the change back to a Sunday evening through Tuesday format. The ICBND Convention is a tremendous opportunity to get together again with our friends and colleagues to enjoy a fun and informative celebration of community banking in the great state of North Dakota. And don’t forget to pack your patriotic attire for the theme party to be held Monday evening. As always, there’s sure to be some interesting ensembles! I hope you all have a great summer and I look forward to seeing you in Bismarck on August 6- 8!

Barry

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Happy April, everyone! It’s supposed to be spring but the forecast looks like we may be in the middle of another winter storm about the time this newsletter hits your inbox. Good grief! Enough already!

You’re probably tired of hearing from me about the 68th Assembly of the North Dakota Legislature. Not many weeks have gone by when I haven’t implored members to reach out to their legislators requesting they vote with us on one issue or another. In my limited tenure with ICBND, this has easily been the busiest as it relates to bills affecting community banking. We’ve been effective in turning back, or amending to satisfaction, most of the problematic bills. Unfortunately, we’re not even close to being done. In fact, we are currently in the throws of possibly the most problematic proposed North Dakota legislation in the past decade as it relates to community banking.
 
That bill is Senate Bill 2266. It was brought by the credit unions and originally sought to gut the field of membership rules in Century Code by allowing pretty much unfettered expansion. As amended in the
Senate, it is still extremely problematic as it seeks to expand the field of membership of any credit union main office to 125 miles from the current 75-mile radius. That’s a near tripling of the service area of every state-chartered credit union – there are 19 of them. It passed by one vote in the Senate. We need it to fail in the House and we need your help to do that. The bill was heard in the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee yesterday. It will be the subject of Committee work again the week of April 3rd. It could hit the House floor for vote as early as late that same week or the week of April 10. Please contact your Representatives from the following roster ND House of Representatives and ask them to vote “NO” on SB 2266!
 
Happy shoveling,
 
Barry

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ND independent banks 'doing well' | Prairie Public Broadcasting

Prairie Public Broadcasting | By Dave Thompson

"They're strong, well-run, well-capitalized," said David Mason of First International Bank and Trust in Bismarck. "We've been fortunate for a highly supportive community base in North Dakota."

Mason said North Dakotans like doing business with other North Dakotans.

"That's where the community bank model really thrives for us," Mason said.

Mason also said the biggest issue facing banks this year is inflation, and continued efforts by the Federal Reserve to tamper down inflation through raising interest rates.

"Increasing or decreasing isn't as big of a deal as how fast they change," Mason said. "And we've seen a dramatically fast-paced move by the Fed in increasing rates this time around. And that just changes the dynamic."

Mason said it takes a little bit of a different management style, to help customers deal with the rates.

Meanwhile, ag lenders are reporting a more positive outlook in farm country. A banker from southeast North Dakota said farmers are doing very well this year, compared with the past few years.

"The crops that got put in look very good," said Darwin Bitz of Heartland State Bank of Edgeley and Kulm. "The prices are excellent, and even on the livestock end, prices are very good."

Bitz said farmers are in a very good financial position, because of the current prices, and also because of disaster payments, crop insurance and COVID relief. And he said his bank hasn't been making loans to farmers this year.

"I can tell you that right now, of operating loans at our bank, there have been some that haven't been touched," Bitz said. "The farmers haven't needed it."

Bitz said he has sen a lot of pay-down on existing loans.

"It's actually a great time to be farming," Bitz said.

The independent bankers' group had their annual meeting in Bismarck this week.

BISMARCK, ND – Stephen L. Stenehjem, Chairman and CEO of First International Bank & Trust (FIBT), is the recipient of the 2022 Distinguished Community Banker Award. The award was presented to him during the 54th Annual Independent Community Banks of North Dakota (ICBND) Convention & Exposition. The three-day event was held August 8-10, at the Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center, in Bismarck, and was attended by over 200 bank and associate members.

The Distinguished Community Banker Award was created in 1998 by the ICBND Board of Directors to recognize the efforts of its most outstanding members and is the most prestigious award given by ICBND. This award, which need not be given every year, honors an active or former community banker for exemplary and outstanding service to community banking over an extended career. Stephen’s father Leland M. Stenehjem posthumously received the award in 2017, making Stephen the second Stenehjem to be honored with the ICBND Distinguished Community Banker Award.

           

Stenehjem, who recently celebrated 40 years with First International Bank & Trust, looks back on his achievements with pride. “FIBT is over 100x larger than when I started and that’s a testament to the amazing team we’ve built over the years. From our humble beginnings in Arnegard, ND, we now have 34 locations across four states and can serve more customers than ever before. Thank you to everyone who has been part of FIBT’s success. I am truly humbled and honored to receive this award.”

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ICBND hosts 54th Annual Convention in Bismarck | KX NEWS (kxnet.com)

BISMARCK, N.D. — This week is the ICBND 54th Annual Convention. The convention will last Monday through Wednesday.

Jessie Pfaff, who is the vice president for the ICBND says this is a chance for community bankers and associate members vendors across the nation to get together.

“It’s just a time to reconnect with eachother and to celebrate everything they have accomplished last year” “

Pfaff says conventions such as this one is extremely important to have in the state.


“North Dakota in general is a tight knit rural community and community banks across our state are what provide the funding for a lot of main street, and we are excited about bringing them together.”

According to Pfaff, ICBND is the only association in the state of North Dakota that excessively represents Community Banks.
The convention always has a theme and for this years theme it’s the roaring 20’s.

“We figured it’s the 20’s. We are roaring forward and everything that banks have had to overcome with their customers and COVID the last couple of years,” said Pfaff. “They keep charging forward into the future.”

And the big topic on everyone’s mind is inflation.

“It’s front and center. The man on the street and the lady on the street mind’s these days is on how much things are costing,” said Reber. “When they go to the grocery store, when they go buy clothes. When they fill up their gas tank.”

As far as what interest rates could do in the next six months, Jim Reber, President and CEO of ICBA Securities, says it’s impossible to predict.
Despite not being able to predict how long the inflation will last, Reber says community banks are built to benefit from rising rates.

“If this is a long term scenario, where rates are higher than normal, community banks should do just fine.”

They say no matter what the economy looks like… they will continue to reach out and help their neighbors from rural to cities here in North Dakota.

Plains Commerce bank

Sioux Falls, SD, Release: Tuesday, August 2, 2022. For Immediate Release Plains Commerce Bank will be hosting a free webinar on Thursday, August 25, 2022: Shifting the Tone: Custody of Crypto Assets.

This webinar will discuss the importance of trust and security with cryptocurrency and digital assets.

When asked about the webinar: Custody of Crypto Assets, Kyle Pickner, Chief Trust Officer at Plains Commerce Bank said that this webinar is a chance for people to educate themselves on how to protect their digital assets. They can ask questions live and get information not easily available through other channels.

Custody for digital assets (as opposed to cash, securities, or precious metals) requires a new kind of technological infrastructure that is independent in every sense of the word. Cryptocurrencies are created and managed using specialized technologies which come with their own unique considerations for storage and security.

Join Kyle Pickner, along with special guests from Brane Inc., Matt Pierce, Interim President and Chris Desjardins, Vice President of Product as they dive into how to protect your digital assets.

Registration now open for the free webinar at www.plainscommerce.com/webinar.

Shifting the Tone Webinar Series is an initiative developed by Plains Commerce Bank to dive into the intricate world of money and finance.

Full information and marketing assets can be found on the website: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/cua1xmu0sxqncclxceq06/h?dl=0&rlkey=74085ltlxsohmvze0slkv9exj

Contact Information:
Name: Abby McCann, VP Marketing
Organization: Plains Commerce Bank
Address: 4410 S Technology Drive, Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Phone: 605.954.1322
Email: amccann@plainscommerce.com

Note: This is intended for information use only and is not intended as tax, legal, or investment advice. Cryptocurrency is not insured by the FDIC, are not deposits or other obligations of the institution and are not guaranteed by the institution; and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal invested.

The Bank of Tioga

Tioga, ND, August 1, 2022 - The Bank of Tioga has partnered with the Tioga Area Economic Development Corporation to host REV, a small business pitch competition where $15,000 will be distributed to one or more entrepreneurs. Applications are due October 10, 2022.

From the pool of applicants, up to five businesses will be selected to pitch and be judged on all aspects of their business in front of a judges panel on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at the Divide County Courthouse, located at 200 N Main St., Crosby, ND.

"Entrepreneurs and businesses are encouraged to pitch their current or future business concepts for a chance to win money to support their idea. It is our mission to IGNITE PROSPERITY® in all the communities we serve," said President of The Bank of Tioga, Savanna Hendrickson.

The Bank of Tioga hosts REV in an effort to reinvest in local businesses and entrepreneurs. Applicants will be judged on their pitch, marketing, personal investment level and exit strategy.

In 2017, The Bank of Tioga started REV in an effort to spur economic growth and encourage business owners to continue pursuing their dreams. As of today, over $60,000 has been awarded through this program.

Last year’s winners included Blue Raven Trading Company at $7,200, Back Shed Treasures LLC at $4,200, Luxe Beauty Bar LLC at $2,400 and Haugland Enterprises Inc. at $1,200. Judges include Savanna Hendrickson, President of The Bank of Tioga and Wendy Lenzen, Vice President of Business & Consumer Banking with The Bank of Tioga, along with KayCee Lindsey with Divide County Economic Development and Dennis Lindahl with Tioga Economic Development.

To apply, visit https://www.thebankoftioga.com/rev and download the REV application. The application deadline is October 10, 2022. If you have any questions, please reach out to Savanna Hendrickson at The Bank of Tioga at 701-664-3388.

About The Bank of Tioga: At The Bank of Tioga, we IGNITE PROSPERITY® by helping our clients do more with their money. Whether it’s saving a little extra cash each month or accomplishing a long-term strategy, our goal is to help you transform your financial life. The Bank of Tioga was chartered in 1951 and was acquired by TS Contrarian Bancshares Inc., an affiliate of TS Banking Group in 2014. With $350 million in assets, The Bank of Tioga is committed to supporting local organizations and reinvests a portion of its net income back to the community. Branch locations include Tioga and Crosby, North Dakota. For more information visit thebankoftioga.com.

LewisClark DG

New program will provide an additional line of support for North Dakota’s small businesses

(MANDAN, ND) – The North Dakota Opportunity Fund (NDOF) Steering Committee recently
voted to create a new collateral support program which expands the financing options available
to the lending and business community served by NDOF.
 
Created in 2012 as a direct result of the federal Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, which allowed
for the creation of State Small Business Credit Initiatives (SSBCI), the North Dakota Opportunity
Fund leverages private financing to help small businesses and manufacturers attain needed
loans and investments to expand and create jobs.
 
Led by the City of Mandan, a consortium of 38 municipalities (see attachment) was originally
allocated almost $10 million dollars for the loan participation program. Lewis & Clark
Development Group manages the fund on behalf of the consortium. Since 2012, NDOF has
disbursed $29.9 million dollars in loan proceeds.
 
Lenders Across the State Expressed Strong Support for New Program
Matt Burthold, commercial lending director for Lewis & Clark Development Group, said the
program’s success over the years prompted discussions about adding a collateral support
program.
 
Late last year, the NDOF Steering Committee distributed an online survey to lenders across
North Dakota. The survey found strong interest in expending the fund to include collateral
support.
 
“The strong support and interest in offering a collateral program is, I think, a vote of confidence
in the North Dakota Opportunity Fund,” says Burthold. “The support certainly helped the NDOF
Steering Committee in making the decision to proceed with creating a new program.”
Burthold says the Steering Committee did its due diligence in reviewing similar programs
throughout the United States.
 
“There is obviously no one size fits all approach, but we determined that the best model for us is
similar to a program used in Idaho. We opted to base our new program in part, but not entirely,
on what they offer,” notes Burthold.
 
How the NDOF Collateral Support Program Will Work
The new NDOF Collateral Support Program will establish pledged case collateral accounts with
lending institutions to enhance loan collateral for qualifying businesses, which will help them
obtain financing on acceptable terms and conditions.
 
The following is an example of how the new program may help a small business:
Small Business Expansion Project:
§ $500,000 total project; $485,750 value of total collateral available
§ $340,025: Lender policy is 70% loan-to-value advance rate
§ $75,000: Business is able to provide 15% cash equity
§ $84,975: Funding gap challenge
 
Solution Provided by the NDOF Collateral Support Program:
§ $425,000: Lender loan with an $84,975 Collateral Support Certificate of Deposit (CD)
§ $75,000: Borrower Equity
 
“The NDOF Collateral Support Program will be implemented prudently to provide another
valuable line of support for North Dakota’s small businesses,” says Burthold, who reports
inquiries are already being made from small businesses across the state.
 
For more information on the North Dakota Opportunity Fund, contact Burthold at (701) 667-7601
or at matt@lcdgroup.org. You can also learn more online at www.lcdgroup.org/business-loans/.

United Bankers Bank

United Bankers’ Bank Announces Strategic Partnership with Blue Team Alpha


BLOOMINGTON, MN – United Bankers’ Bank (UBB), the nation’s first bankers’ bank and Blue Team Alpha, an elite cybersecurity force, announce an agreement to offer cybersecurity services to UBB's community banks. Through this partnership, UBB and Blue Team Alpha will provide community banks with access to comprehensive cybersecurity services to help shore up defenses against cybercriminals.
"Very few areas present more challenges to community bankers than cybersecurity. Data breaches in financial services make the headlines weekly and regulators are cracking down. I'm happy to announce Twin-Cities-based Blue Team Alpha is the newest addition to UBB's suite of consulting services for our customer banks," commented UBB’s President and CEO Dwight Larsen.
 
"As banks adopt advanced technologies to improve customer service and operating efficiencies, they increase their attack surface and become more vulnerable to cybercriminals. Blue Team Alpha is happy to partner with UBB to help increase the security posture of community banks and the communities they serve," said Joe Kingland, CISSP, CEO of Blue Team Alpha.
 
The security experts at Blue Team Alpha have experience in addressing financial institutions' complex and highly regulated demands. The company has over 25 years of experience implementing stringent IT standards for banks and financial institutions.
 
About United Bankers' Bank
Headquartered in Bloomington, MN, United Bankers' Bancorporation, Inc. is the parent holding company for United Bankers' Bank (UBB). UBB provides a full range of correspondent banking services to over 1,000 community banks throughout 22 states. For more information, please visit www.ubb.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook.
 
About Blue Team Alpha
Blue Team Alpha is an elite cybersecurity force with one primary focus - to keep its clients' company resources safe from attack. Established in 2018 as a subsidiary of Manage Infinity, Blue Team Alpha was designed to focus on incident response and to minimize the business impact of cyberattacks. The team has deep roots in incident response with decades of experience handling hundreds of breach investigations across 12 industries. For more information on Blue Team Alpha, visit blueteamalpha.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook.
 
Contact: Dwight Larsen United Bankers’ Bank Direct: 952.885.9501
July 25, 2022
1650 W 82nd Street Bloomington, MN 55431 www.ubb.com

Posted on

Bravera Bank

MINOT, N.D. – Bravera Bank is proud to announce that United Community Bank (UCB) is going to be merged into Bravera Bank. Pending regulatory approval and other customary conditions, this is expected to officially take effect November 2022. UCB has locations in Minot, Burlington, Drake and Leeds.

Bravera took over ownership of UCB in 2015 while leaving UCB to operate independently. While UCB has been a Bravera company for seven years, taking on the Bravera name and merging into the same systems means a greater depth of services for customers. For example, customers will have the convenience of using services at any of Bravera’s locations throughout North Dakota, Montana and soon Minnesota. In addition, Bravera Wealth is currently located in the same building as UCB in Minot and will remain.

“We’ve worked together for quite a while and are glad to take this next step forward. This collaboration improves the experience of those we serve as well as our employees,” said Greg Vetter, president of client services and interim president/CEO of UCB.

“This is an exciting shift for our customers and our team,” said Kelly Perrin, UCB Minot market president. “We are able to provide additional resources, products and services in banking, wealth and insurance areas as well as give customers access across a greater footprint.”

UCB’s same local, friendly staff is available to assist customers throughout the transition.

To learn more about Bravera, visit bravera.bank

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