In 1885, we got our start in ag banking.
And to this day, we remain committed to agriculture and serving farmers. With branch locations in Sioux Falls, Baltic, Brandon, Dell Rapids, Flandreau, and Harrisburg, our roots run deep within farm communities.
“First National Bank really understands family business and family farming, and it means something to us,” said Brian Gilbert, Ag Banking Manager. “We’re a local bank with a passion for agriculture, and we’re still large enough to lend to larger producers and operations, which is something that sets us apart.”
In addition to Brian, the First National Ag Team consists of 12 other ag bankers and is still growing at a rapid pace.
“Our lenders have a combined 186 years of experience,” Brian said. “Nearly all of them have farming experience, whether that’s from growing up on a farm, participating in 4-H or FFA, or running their own operations.”
The expertise of the team covers everything from livestock to crops, and small family farms to large operations, he added.
While part of the team is located at our Louise branch in Sioux Falls — a location dedicated to serving ag customers — we understand the importance of having bankers easily accessible for those who farm in small-town communities.
Ag Banking Team Lead Grant Olson heads a group of bankers focused on serving the areas around Sioux Falls; he and Sam Minor work out of our Flandreau branch, while fellow bankers Dave Bonte and Lane Reecy work out of Dell Rapids.
Dave Bonte (Dell Rapids), Lane Reecy (Dell Rapids), Sam Minor (Flandreau), Paul Renken (Sioux Falls), and Grant Olson (Flandreau) proudly serve our small-town communities.
Furthermore, Ag Banker Todd Van Den Bosch is located in Chamberlain to better serve customers in that area.
“These small-town communities are truly the lifeblood of our state,” Grant said. “We know how important it is to be available for farmers in these areas. And, frankly, we love working in these tight-knit communities more than anything; it’s an amazing thing to be a part of.”
On top of our agriculture financing options, we have our own crop insurance agency: First Ag Risk Management (FARM).
Grant and Ag Banking Team Lead Phil DeGroot offer insurance and risk management services ranging from crops to livestock protection, and they’re committed to helping farmers protect their livelihoods for years to come.
“These products also give us the ability to help lend to the next generation,” Grant said, “which is a great thing for helping family farms to pass the torch.”
Lastly, we continue to show our commitment to producers by offering multiple opportunities for producer education.
The annual Cultivate Your Future event is our biggest of the year, which brings producers together to learn about market dynamics, the future of agriculture, and more from local and national industry experts.
Throughout the year, producers are welcome to participate in the Farmers ’N Bankers program or Hutterite Banking Institute, which are comprised of multiple sessions that provide a variety of different educational opportunities.
Our team also publishes an ag newsletter, First on the Farm, three times a year that can be found on our website. It features articles written by the Ag Bankers themselves on timely topics, expert insights, and local news.
“It’s important for farmers and ranchers to remain lifelong learners,” Brian said, “but these are also opportunities for producers to meet like-minded people and develop relationships within the ag community.”
“At the end of the day,” he added, “our commitment to agriculture comes down to providing producers with the things they need — whether that be financing and insurance, education, or just to build a sense of community and develop those relationships within the industry.”
If you’re looking for a banker who’s committed to serving the ag community, reach out! Helping farmers and ranchers is in our DNA, and we’re ready to help your operation be successful.
