Todd Loudenslager, CRC®

Amanda Dougherty – Ag and Commercial 5-year lender, 8 with Bank Iowa 1. A Good Loan Today Shouldn’t Be a Burden Tomorrow: Not every loan request is the right fit, even if it looks good on paper. Ask yourself whether the financing will truly strengthen the customer’s operation or simply add debt. Sometimes the best advice is to wait or take a different path. Honesty goes a long way. 2. Plan for the Highs and Lows: Agriculture and business are cyclical. Build flexibility into your finances so you can weather both good and bad years. Strong recordkeeping, realistic cash flow projections, and long-term planning promote stability and growth. Bank Iowa | Member FDIC

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Minnwest Bank, in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), is pleased to announce that 50 nonprofit organizations across Minnesota will receive a total of $980,400 in grants through the Member Impact Fund. This matching grant program will result in FHLB Des Moines awarding $20 million in funding to support affordable housing and community development in Minnesota. Learn more and view the full list of recipient organizations: https://bit.ly/3HMO5UF

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Illinois community bank hopeful after year of restructuring Midland States' decision to sell its equipment finance portfolio has boosted its capital ratios and reduced problem loan levels. https://buff.ly/b4j9gCe #FinTech #FinServ #Banking

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GMHF is elated to support Northcountry Cooperative Foundation (NCF) in their work to preserve, redevelop, and construct manufactured home communities that expand ownership opportunities in Minnesota, thanks in part to the $3 to $1 match from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Member Impact Fund.

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To wrap up 2025, Steve Grzanich talks to Mike Hides from Associated Bank about what we all need to know going into 2026, that could save you money. LISTEN at https://lnkd.in/gre_sYFM 

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The crisis in Minnesota has highlighted to me how broken politics are in the United States. There shouldn’t be a war between conservatives verses progressives. The inclinations of both sides are essential. As the former president of the University of Utah, Chase Peterson, once described his job “Preserve the good, promote the better.” This is the job of every citizen. As voters, here are three tests I think we should consider for every candidate: 1.       Candidates must actually be “for” something. Running a campaign based on being at war with the other party is not being “for” something. Being only against something should be disqualifying. 2.       Candidates must not “scapegoat” other parties or groups of people. Scapegoating started with magical thinking that the sins of the community could be transferred to a goat that was then removed from the community and took the sins with him. While this may have been cathartic, no real transaction occurred. Scapegoating is a simple and cheap way to motivate some people; but it is inaccurate and takes attention away from real problems. 3.         Candidates must have humility. They must recognize what is weak and lacking in their position and what they admire in the other’s position and vice versa. As a former Catholic Nun and past leader of Catholics for Choice, Frances Kissling, said: “The hallmark of a civil debate is when you can acknowledge that which is good in the position of the person you disagree with.” On Being Podcast, original air date Jan 20, 2011

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“We, as a bank, want to give them the best we have to offer – a holistic relationship that ensures that they’re feeling comfortable with what they’re doing and the legacy that they are leaving behind,” said U.S. Bank small business banker Brenda Alferez Salinas.

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As the Iowa Senate continues its review of SF 2298, it was great for the ACDR - Association for Consumer Debt Relief team to meet today with Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh. SF 2298, and its Iowa House companion, HF 2326, would expand Iowans' access to debt relief services. Our message to Leader Klimesh, other legislators, and policymakers from Gov. Kim Reynolds Administration, with whom we also met: Iowans facing financial challenges deserve greater access to a proven path to resolve their unsecured debt. ACDR members offer that option. Expanding access to debt relief in Iowa is the right policy to adopt. Debt relief can help thousands of Iowa families regain financial stability. We look forward to continuing to work with Gov. Reynolds, Leader Klimesh, Speaker Grassley and the entire legislature on this important bill. #debtrelief #debtsettlement #debtresolution #Iowa

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Mechanics Cooperative Bank President & CEO, Joe Baptista, recently sat down with Bob Fraser, President & CEO of MountainOne Bank, to discuss the upcoming merger and share their perspective on this important partnership. 🤝 This conversation reflects our shared commitment to strong community banking and the values that guide both institutions. Stronger Together, Local Forever.

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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝟭𝟮𝟬-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱? Randy Dorn, President of My Kind of Bank - First National Bank – and Treasurer of the BankIn Minnesota Board – joined Chris Bates & Dan Novalis on 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 to walk through the rebrand that helped the bank: 🔹 stay grounded in who they’ve always been, 🔹 better reflect what today’s customers value, and 🔹 spark fresh energy and pride across their team. The episode offers a clear look at how thoughtful, community-focused leadership can guide a major change without losing the trust and relationships at the center of community banking. It’s a strong example of the kind of modernization happening across Minnesota’s community banks – intentional, responsive, and rooted in service. 🎧 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://lnkd.in/g_8EC4DQ #BankMarketing #CommunityBanking #BankLocal #BankInMN

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