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Becoming FIRST: The Crisis Chapter

If more than 135 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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

From one 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.

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?