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First National Bank's downtown Sioux Falls location from 1929 to 1976.

Becoming FIRST: The Business Chapter

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. One month later, on January 13, 1942, William Wiswall (W. W.) Baker formally stepped to the helm of First National Bank as the nation was thrust into war. For Americans, everything...
First National Bank's leadership team celebrating 100 years in business with a large cake.

Becoming FIRST: The Crisis Chapter

If 140 years of doing business have taught us anything, it’s that every generation is tested. And with every test, our FIRST Values have shone brightly through even our darkest hours. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly proved to be one of...
An old photo of an Advantage ATM outside a First National Bank branch.

Becoming FIRST: The Advantage Chapter

Innovation is the bedrock of positive evolution. Everything we do is engineered to improve our customer experience. So, a touchstone question we ask of every new program is, “Does this idea have a clear opportunity to grow?” That is, does...
An old, black and white photo of employees at The First National Bank in Sioux Falls.

Becoming FIRST: The Values Chapter

We live by our motto: “We build successful relationships.” The entire organization expands together, meaning we honor a commitment to growth where no one gets left behind. How do we do this? As a team who finds the right spot,...
Chris Ekstrum, Maggie Groteluschen, Bob Baker, and Bill Baker in front of First National Bank.

Lessons in family business learned from Spiderman, growing up with First National Bank

Much has been written about family businesses in America. They produce the majority of the U.S. GDP, employ more than half of U.S. workers, and are the lifeblood of building our great nation. At The First National Bank in Sioux...
Roxie Olsen and Tammy Garcia look into a fraud case at First National Bank.

Business owners can take away valuable lessons from recent fraud attempt

Our Operations team recently shut down a fraud attempt in the amount of more than $221,000 — a scheme hinging on a small business’s check that had been intercepted by the fraudsters. According to the Federal Trade Commission, bank transfers...
Mike Wells, former CEO of Wells Blue Bunny, and wife Cheryl.

Blue Bunny and beyond: Former CEO Mike Wells and wife, Cheryl, share ‘How We Money’

Common Cents on the Prairie™

“The question is always, ‘Why?’ Why sell a successful business? Well, there’s always the rest of the story.” A little more than a year ago, Mike and Cheryl Wells sold their family’s business, Wells Enterprises — the renowned, Iowa-based maker...

Phil DeGroot named Agribusiness Citizen of the Year

The following article is shared with permission from the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. It can also be read on their website or in the January/February 2024 edition of “Chamber News” magazine.  Agribusiness Division of the Greater Sioux Falls...
Thornton Flooring's Sioux Falls location off the I-29 Tea exit.

From garage stall to 109,000-square-foot building: The story of family-owned Thornton Flooring

Matt Thornton had never planned on joining his family’s Sioux Falls business; rather than selling flooring with his parents, he was going to become a doctor. But you know what they say about making plans and God laughing. “I had...
Headshot of Adam Cox, Chief Wealth Managment Officer at The First National Bank in Sioux Falls, posing in the office.

Not just a traditional trust department: The story behind First National Wealth Management’s ‘meteoric’ growth

The following article was originally featured in the October issue of SDBANKER Magazine. You can view the digital issue here.  “The eternal question for wealth management firms is: How do we as advisors stand out in a sea of sameness?...
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