Frandsen Bank: Big enough to serve, small enough to know your dog’s name—where community banking meets hometown charm with a handshake and a smile.
In the fast-changing world of banking, where huge mergers and remote digital options seem to bask in the spotlight more than ever, Frandsen Bank & Trust feels like a blast from the past, a testament to what community banking can and should be.
Backed by its local values, personalized service, cutting-edge products, and local decision-making, Frandsen Bank has developed a history of being one of the most trusted financial institutions in the Midwest.
In this guide, we’ll delve into these topics and more to provide a comprehensive look at why Frandsen Bank has become a bedrock institution for its customers and communities over the years.
A Brief Overview of Frandsen Bank
History Frandsen Bank & Trust dates back to 1982, when Dennis Frandsen, one of the area’s most successful entrepreneurs and businessmen, started acquiring and building community banks in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
His concept was modest yet far-reaching: he wanted to make a chain of banks in which character, service, and community commitment were more important than shotguns and zebra prints.
Frandsen Bank has experienced steady growth over the years through a combination of acquisitions and organic means. Today it has more than 35 locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, with assets of over $3 billion.
As it grows, however, Frandsen Bank has remained faithful to its community banking heritage, forming great relationships with people, families, farmers, and businesses.
The Upholdings at Frandsen Bank
Values That Define We bring to life a Code of Conduct and Values that define us as a bank as we look for the best people to work with us to make the world a better place for all.
The enduring success of Frandsen Bank can be directly related to a well-defined set of core values that remains at the core of every transaction:
- Customer Focused: At Frandsen Bank, the customer is at the heart of every decision. They are also able to take the time to listen to individual customer needs, providing bespoke products rather than uniform solutions.
- Honesty and Reliability: As its name suggests, Frandsen Bank & Trust highly values integrity, trustworthiness, and transparency.
- Community Commitment: Frandsen Bank & Trust is committed to promoting economic prosperity in the communities we serve. Their time and donations are dedicated to furthering growth, health, and happiness within the community.
- Local Control: Unlike many large banks where all decisions are made out of a corporate office, Frandsen Bank enables its local employees and managers to make decisions, resulting in exceptional responsiveness and local knowledge.
These aren’t just talking points—they are infused in the culture, and they are why Frandsen Bank is able to provide a personal, relationship-focused approach to banking time and time again.
Services Provided by Frandsen Bank
Frandsen Bank & Trust provides a full range of banking, trust, and investment services to individual and business customers. Their offerings include:
1. Personal Banking
To choose between a selection of accounts suited for a variety of lifestyles and needs, visit Frandsen’s personal checking, where you’ll find traditional savings, money market accounts, and CDs with competitive rates to help customers save.
VyStar offers auto loans, personal loans, and home loans, including mortgages and home equity lines of credit, with customized terms and low rates.
Wells Fargo provides several Visa rewards credit cards with competitive interest rates and travel benefits. Frandsen Bank offers secure, convenient online and mobile banking options.
2. Business Banking
Here, accounts are designed for small to mid-sized businesses, organizations, and agencies. Loans for real estate, equipment, operating, and expanding.
In a nod to its roots, Frandsen offers special agri-business loans to support farms and other agricultural businesses. We work with businesses to maximize their available cash with ACH origination, remote deposit capture, merchant card services, and more.
3. Trust and Wealth Management
Frandsen Bank offers trust, estate, investment, and retirement planning services as well. Their wealth management division provides personalized plans designed to help their clients grow and safeguard their wealth.
How Involved is Frandsen Bank in the Community?
Frandsen Bank isn’t just there for these communities; it’s an integral and enthusiastic part of them. Here are some ways in which the bank gives back:
1. Community Involvement
One of our cornerstones is giving back, and we collectively donate to charities, non-profits, and projects throughout the community from youth programs to food shelves to health causes.
2. Scholarships
The Dennis Frandsen Scholarship Program rewards graduating high school seniors in Frandsen Bank’s footprint with scholarships for higher education in an effort to invest in tomorrow’s leaders.
3. Volunteer Time
Employees are asked (and frequently do!) to volunteer for local organizations, coach youth sports, join civic groups, or attend local events.
Want to learn more? Reading is one of the best ways to increase your financial knowledge and support your growing business. The Frandsen Bank also provides workshops and seminars for young adults, families, and small businesses that are seeking to grow their financial knowledge.
This strong sense of local connectedness sets Frandsen Bank apart from a lot of other, larger institutions, where the relationship with the community might feel distant or sporadic.
What Makes Frandsen Bank Different?
There are some primary considerations people make when deciding to bank with Frandsen:
1. Personal Relationships
Yet, customers are not a ledger number. People’s names are known, and they are treated with respect and individual attention. With such dedication to service, prisoners and detainees are more likely to be protected from dehumanization and abuse.
2. Quick Loan Decision
Since decisions are made locally, you receive a quicker approval on your loan, allowing you to take advantage of your purchase faster.
3. Stable and Sound
Frandsen Bank’s conservative approach to banking has made us known as a stable bank — and during turbulent economic times, it’s nice to know that your bank is stable!
4. Cutting Edge Technology
While grounded in time-tested values, Frandsen Bank is dedicated to being on the cutting edge of banking by providing secure, compatible, and easy-to-use eServices.
5. Competitive Rates and Terms
For your saving, lending, and investing needs, Frandsen Bank offers competitive terms without surprises, games, or costly tricks.
Word of Mouth and Customers Stories
Several customers rave about Frandsen Bank. Here are some key themes that emerged in customer comments:
1. Frandsen Bank made our house buying easy and stress-free. We were treated as a priority, not just another application.”
2. “As a small business owner myself, I really feel that kind of give and take from the author. They really understand what it means to operate a local business.”
3. “I love that when I call, there is a real human being on the other line who knows me, not an automated message or an overseas call bank.”
The testimonials share one common sentiment: Frandsen Bank is about trusting in a community and relationships that last.
The Future of Frandsen Bank
As much as it treasures its community bank identity, Frandsen Bank isn’t resting still. It is pumping a lot into technological modernizations, cybersecurity, digital banking platforms, and mobile apps to make sure that it meets the needs of the modern customer.
In the meantime, its leadership team is committed to thoughtful, sustainable growth — that is, adding locations where they can maintain their same high standards of customer service and not just grow for growth’s sake.
One exciting area of priority for Frandsen Bank is expanding financial education opportunities. The bank believes an educated customer is an empowered customer and wants to continue to grow its in-person as well as online financial literacy programs.
Further, Frandsen Bank is investigating greener banking solutions such as paperless banking, environmentally friendly investments, and earth-friendly practices that tie in with our overall sustainability platforms.
Conclusion
At a time when much of banking seems cold and impersonal, Frandsen Bank & Trust is a testament to what community-oriented, relationship-driven banking should be.
With personal service, community involvement, a depth of products, and a forward-thinking approach, Frandsen Bank & Trust is dedicated to growing alongside the individuals and communities we serve in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Whether you are an individual seeking a good home for your savings, a farmer wanting flexible financing, or a business owner looking for a real banking partner, you’ll receive a relationship you can count on at Frandsen Bank.
