See the Premier Team in action:
Thursday, February 1st, 2018 the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the Annual Member Celebration at the Mayo Civic Center Ballroom. Eight hundred people came together to celebrate Rochester’s vibrant business community. This event recognizes outstanding members who have demonstrated innovation and excellence in their operations, a strong company culture, commitment to employee development and dedication to serving the Rochester community. Premier Bank Rochester was honored to be a finalist in the Large Business of the Year Award category. Premier Banks extends its heart felt congratulations to the Chafoulias family and their staff at the Doubletree Hotel, who received the Large Business of the year award and to the many organizations and community leaders that were honored that night.
Premier Bank Rochester was honored to receive The Minnesota Bankers Association 2018 Community Champion Award for making a positive difference in the Rochester community.
Don Regan and Premier Banks were humbled to have received the City of Maplewood 2018 Entrepreneurship/Innovation and Growth Award. This honor recognizes Maplewood businesses and entrepreneurs that establish and achieve aggressive goals that result in the creation of new business and improvement to existing businesses.
Premier banks is working with Grandma’s coats for kids and local school social workers to make sure that local scholars and their families are prepared for the Minnesota winter. To date, through the partnership with local schools and Grandmascoatsforkids.org, together Premier has distributed more than 660 new coats, boots, scarves and mittens. Premier is grateful to Wendy and Nicole Kenneally of Midwest Data Inc., in North St Paul, and founder Kay Weber, the engine behind the Grandmas Coats for kids effort.
Just another day in the office for Sue Kruger doing what she does best! Sue has been with the bank over 27 years; her service, dependability and willingness to go above and beyond for her customers is simply amazing. Thank you Sue for all you do!
Each year, Premier Bank Rochester staff assists the Salvation Army in multiple areas during the holiday season to help families in need. Kettle Counting, Bell Ringing, Children’s Day and Adopt a Family are just a few of the volunteer efforts we take pride in at the Holidays.
In lieu of Christmas cards this holiday season, Premier Bank Rochester donated money to MN Adult Teen Challenge. MN Adult and Teen Challenge provides assistance to teens and adults who are gaining freedom from chemical addictions and other life controlling problems by addressing their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Premier Bank Lenders spend an evening at Feed My Starving Children.
Premier Bank Rochester all staff Christmas party 2017 held at Victoria’s Restaurant. Merry Christmas Rochester!
Our Rochester Banks brought Christmas Joy to local family through the Adopt a Family Program.
This year employees added a chilly twist with a voting competition. The "winners" took a refreshing dip in a dunk tank in November. Kent Gillespie, Mortgage Loan Officer from Rochester and Tanya Dolan, Retail Banking Manager from Hastings were the lucky dunkees who braved the ice bath for a great cause.
Premier Bankers had a record breaking fundraising year for their Costumed for a Cure campaign benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
A total of $16,275 dollars were raised bringing Premier’s grand total to more than $125,000 over the past 22 years.
Premier Bank’s White Bear Lake staff enjoyed spending the morning with Lincoln Elementary Exploration Program. Students learned about smart banking, saving habits, and received a tour of the historic White Bear Lake office. Lincoln students left with goodie bags and tips on how to create a bright financial future!
Premier Banks was honored to sponsor the Spare Key “Bounce and Not Break” event through their partners at TitleSmart, Inc.. It was a great day with live music, a food truck, a photo booth, and an exciting race, complete with “Bounce House Fun by Magic Bounce” which turned the race into an obstacle course. Spare Key provides assistance to families in crisis with critically ill or seriously injured children through housing grant payment assistance, engaged resource referral and advocacy.For more information on the Spare Key organization visit
https://www.sparekey.org/Premier Banks and The Notre Dame Alumni Club teamed up to do an extreme exterior home makeover for a neighbor through Hearts and Hammers, a local Non-Profit. The homeowner has a long history of doing for others and this was a great opportunity for the Premier Team to make a positive impact on the community while helping to keep the family at home!
Premier Bank Rochester had a fun and successful United Way Campaign with BINGO, an employee Jeans Day fundraiser, Olmsted County United Way speakers and raffle prizes. In just over one week, the Rochester team generated $2,876.00 in donations!
Premier Bank Rochester presents a donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester. As the Rochester Honker’s Homerun Sponsor, Premier Bank Rochester made a donation to the Boys and Girls Club for every home game homerun hit!
Congratulations to Jennifer Gowin for graduating from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, as well as receiving her Executive Leadership Certificate from the University of Wisconsin School of Business.
Premier Bank supported the Osseo lions by sponsoring the fourth annual Lions Roar Medallion Hunt. Lucky winners the medallion underneath a park bench in Osseo. Congratulations Cameryn, Kayla and Angela Bailey!
Cake, ice cream, flowers and songs afford a nice summer break to local residents at Concordia arms.
Hastings Rivertown Days featured summer fun for the whole family including a petting zoo hosted by Premier Banks, delicious food, carnival rides, a music stage, kids entertainment, fireworks and other festivities that were enjoyed by the Hastings community.
Premier Bankers, family and friends celebrate community in the annual White Bear Lake Manitou Days and White Bear Avenue Parades.
Premier Bank Rochester teamed up with Channel One Food Shelf to assist in packaging food. As a supporter, Premier Bank Rochester’s staff not only volunteers their time, they also raise money for the organization throughout the year.
Premier Bank Rochester was honored to receive the American Business Women’s Business Associate of the Year for their support of both the local chapter and the community as a whole.
The best investment in the Future is Kids! Premier Banks, together with the next generation of Minnesota scientists and their families were present to celebrate the best and brightest of our budding scientific community as a sponsor of the Twin Cities Regional Science Fair on February 25th.
Congratulations to Lindsey (Rippentrop) Sowers for her award as the Rochester Area Builder’s Distinguished Associate Member of the Year. Lindsey has been an active and supportive member of the Association for more that 13 years. As a recipient of the award, the candidates attributes include; committee participation, community involvement and enthusiasm about the association.
Congratulations to the Premier Bank Rochester team for being awarded the Gold Award! The United Way's Gold Award recognizes and celebrates the spirit and generosity of the people, agencies, and workplaces that display outstanding leadership and dedication during their annual campaign.
Congratulations to Premier Bank Rochester for receiving the MBA Community Champion Award! The Minnesota Bankers Association (MBA) recognizes members for making a positive difference in the communities they serve through their contributions, service and support.
Premier Bankers take a pie to the face for Leukemia and Lymphoma ramping up the money making prowess.
Premier’s Annual fundraiser for Leukemia and Lymphoma has raised over $112,000 in the past 22 years to support cancer patients and their families as well as local research projects.
Premier Bank employees and clients were honored with a national award at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Annual Lifeblood event September 15, 2016. This "Chairman’s Citation Award" recognized Premier’s Banks’ Nitasha Wallace’s passion and consistent efforts to raise money in the fight against blood cancers.
The Premier Team helped a local veteran paint and landscape his home this year in collaboration with the Notre Dame Club of Minneapolis and St Paul and the Hearts and Hammers Organization.
Premier Bankers, family and friends celebrate community in the annual White Bear Lake Manitou Days and White Bear Avenue Parades.
Premier Bank brought the farm to town during the Hastings Rivertown Days celebration.
Cake, ice cream, flowers and songs afford a nice summer break to local residents at Concordia Arms.
Premier Bankers were honored to take part in the Hmong American Day Celebration at Minnehaha Park on Saturday, May 14th, 2016. This date marked the 41st anniversary of the Hmong American diaspora. Hmong American day honors the contributions and sacrifices of the Hmong to America during the Vietnam War Era through present day. Hmong American Day calls upon all Hmong and non-Hmong Americans to celebrate our shared history.
Congratulations to the Premier Bank Hastings team, recognized at Congressman John Kline’s Star of the North Ceremony in Lakeville, MN. The Star of the North Congressional Award honors acts of service and kindness in Minnesota’s 2nd district. Premier Bank was recognized for their generosity and commitment to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Premier Bank’s Andover opening featured an opportunity for community members to tie blankets that were delivered to Northside Child Development Center. Together Premier Bankers and the Andover community created 20 blankets to keep local children warm. Thank you to everyone who took part in this fun project!
Premier Bank is honored to support the Catholic Charities Higher Ground Project at Dorothy Day Place in Downtown St Paul. For individuals experiencing long-term homelessness in the greater twin cities area
Offices of the Premier Bank Minnesota Charter got together to thank their communities for 25 Years of Premier Partnership.
Premier Banks was honored by The Twin City Business Magazine as a 2015 Finalist in the Minnesota Family Business Awards for success across 3 generations and a corporate culture that celebrates service and philanthropy.
Premier Bank Hastings and Northfield office sponsored and participated in the 5k Turkey Trot with their families. Over 1000 walkers and runners braved the rain, sleet and snow to show their gratitude!
The Andover Premier Bank office Grand Opening met with 1200 community members. Family fun was had by all…refreshments, pizza, photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, their reindeer, elves and Olaf, Christmas crafts, blanket tying for a local child care center, food and clothing collection, food shelf donations for account openings, the opportunity to win money at the ATM, prizes in the drive through, Essentials of Life Chiropractic screenings, and a whole lot of meeting and greeting with new neighbors made the celebration very special for the Premier Staff.
Brave Premier Presidents and Loan Officers volunteered their time… and faces to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in conjunction with the annual Costume for a Cure event. Premier staff and customers placed $1 votes to see their favorite banker pied in the face. Over $4,300 was raised in Pie Wars votes! The top 4 “Pie Heroes” with the most votes on pie throwing day were President Sean Regan, President Tom Kern, Executive Vice President Frank Streit and Vice President Kyle Peters. Wives, parents and even God children joined the fun as surprise guest pie throwers. Employees enjoyed lots of laughs and a slice of pie afterwards in celebration of such a successful fundraising campaign!
In the News! Hasting Branch took home the trophy for Best Costumes of Premier Banks 2015 Leukemia and Lymphoma Campaign. View article at http://www.hastingsstargazette.com/news/3872330-premier-bank-goes-gold-costumed-fundraising-campaign
Premier team and clients, thank you for making 2016 a record breaking year!
- Most money raised by Premier staff and clients in annual campaign $12,335.00!
- Passed the $100,000 threshold in donations funding local research, programs and resources for patients battling blood cancers.
- Hastings Team sets a high bar for team effort and costume execution!
Don Regan received the Presidential Award for Outstanding Merit from St. Mary's University of Minnesota in October of 2015.
The Premier Bank Monticello/Albertville team placed first in the Annual Bowlarama event to raise money for The Monticello Chamber and community.
For over a decade, the Premier team has rolled rolls up their sleeves to provide home improvement assistance for deserving senior and disabled homeowners through Hearts and Hammers. Volunteerism and sponsorship for this years veteran allowed the team to give back only a tiny piece of what he had done for them many years ago.
Jason Weitzel, VP Premier Bank Blaine office spearheaded an effort together with Mike Schmalzer VP Premier Bank Andover to landscape East Lake Park with other volunteers from the community.
Premier Bank paused to reflect on and honor our service men and women at the opening of the North St Paul Veterans Park. Premier and many other community partners showed their gratitude for the immense contributions and sacrifices made by service families by creating a beautiful public space.
Premier Bank Roseville staff and family attended a Twins game thanks to Midwest Special Services and the Luck of the Irish. A winning raffle ticket drew an afternoon of fun with a loaded suite and some fine Minnesota fall weather. Remember what goes around comes around and support your local non-profits!
Collectively, Premier Bank Rochester raised $105 in cash donations and 196 school supplies for United Way’s Running Start for School Program!
Last year, we raised $95 in cash donations and 130 school supplies. Great job to everyone and thank you for your generosity!
Premier Bank Northfield was a Major Sponsor for the 2015 Defeat of Jesse James Days in September. Buckaroos between the ages of 4 and 8 showed up for the Giddy-up Horse Race at Premier Bank.
Fun was had by “Kids” of all ages as budding horsemen strived to cross the finish line first. The weeklong event culminated in a parade, on a perfect fall day, the DJJD Ambassadors, Bank Reenactors, NHS Band, Clowns, St. Paul Vulcans, the Police and Fire departments, Premier Bank and many other local businesses participated in the parade celebrating community and this memorable, historic event.
Hastings Chamber of Commerce brings the Hastings community together for the Annual River town Days Celebration! Premier Banks sponsored furry friends and celebrated with a Petting Zoo! Other Highlights included Music fests, games, a grand parade, waterski shows, police canine demonstrations, sidewalk sales, carnival, arts and crafts, flea market, tournaments, fireworks and many more memorable moments for family and friends.
Friends and Family gathered to celebrate community with thousands of White Bear Lake and East side neighbors along White Bear Ave, the same street where Premier Bank first set up shop.
Premier Bank Rochester recently teamed up with for local youth, participating in the Blue Jeans for Blue Doors Campaign for the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester.
Visit http://www.bgclubroch.org/
Premier has participated in a bank wide partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and has more often than not, been the top regional contributor to the Costume for a Cure Campaign. Over the past 15 plus years, Premier Bank staff and clients, together have raised over $100,000 to aid in research and financial needs for local patients and families struggling with blood disease. Highlights in 2014 included pie wars. We raised nearly $3,000 by
competing face to face!
A place to live is the basis for a stable family life. Through Hearts & Hammers, the Premier Team in the last ten years have restored and landscaped more than 13 homes for seniors and families with disability and health challenges.
Premier understands that support of education for kids and young people, is the best investment we can make. Premier not only supports local schools via Angel funds for families in crisis but also supports kids in independent schools that primarily serve families working hardest to better their circumstance.
Premier Bank recently participated in the Hmong American Day Celebration at Harriet Island, in St. Paul. Nearly 1000 people gathered to celebrate Minnesota’s Hmong heritage, culture and achievements through song, dance, presentations, food, art, traditional dress, and history. Hmong Veterans, service people, and their families, were honored for their sacrifice and bravery. Hmong elders graced the room. Nearly 60,000 Hmong Americans have come to Minnesota escaping war and persecution over some 40 years. Their foresight and promise is reflected in the bright faces of the Hmong youth whose multiple talents were showcased as St. Paul came together to celebrate the richness of community.
Premier Bank employees have also donated more than $250,000 to United Way to stabilize families. Highlight from this year’s campaign included raising awareness on homelessness and a soap packaging project. Premier employees packaged and delivered 3,200 bags of detergent to local food shelves for families in need.
Each year Finance and Commerce honors a group of women who excel in their organizations and community, as nominated by their peers. In 2014, Penny Hults was a recipient of the well-deserved Top women in Finance Award. Many Premier customers can attest to Penny’s brilliance in mind and heart.
The 2012 Premier Bank recipient of Top Women in Finance was Kelly Regan.
On Thursday, September 4, 2014, Premier Bank celebrated the Grand Opening of the new Blaine office located at 2345 124th Court NE. Premier celebrated with a ribbon cutting, petting zoo, and picnic. Hundreds of Blaine residents took advantage of the free money ATM promotion and the treasure chest with 75 prizes including a color Samsung television! Fun was had by young and old alike and the Blaine staff was honored by the great show of support from the community.
Forty years ago Premier set up shop in a temporary facility on the corner of White Bear and Beam Avenues in Maplewood. In 2014, we celebrated forty years with Customer Appreciation Picnics in Maplewood, Osseo, White Bear Lake, Roseville, and Blaine.
Hundreds of Premier clients and friends joined us for a BBQ picnic and petting zoo. With grateful hearts, Premier staff served burgers and brats to many fine people in our communities. Our customers truly are Premier!
Premier Banks Osseo Office is proud and privileged to receive the Osseo Maple Grove Press Readers Choice Award for Best Bank 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Each year Premier Banks joins our partners, the White Bear Lake Choral Association, for a Concert at Concordia Arms in Maplewood. The big draw: great old time music, cake and ice cream and kids!
Premier Bank Rochester employees received a grant to build a community garden at the Downtown Rochester office. Clients and employees were able to enjoy fresh, local food, and flowers all spring and summer! On the menu: healthy eating, exercise, and fun!
Premier Bank Rochester has been recognized by the Minnesota Bankers Association for contributions, service, and support to the local community through the Community Champion Award. In 2013 Premier Bank Rochester supported the following organizations with time and treasure: Channel One, Untied Way, Reading Center, American Heart Association, ABWA, Salvation Army, Chamber Foundation, Eagles, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, SCORE, and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Premier Bank’s heroes are the people in our organization that are inspirations to the rest of us for their commitment to serve at all levels, clients, peers, family, community, and the world. The Premier Partner in Service Award is named after Don Larson, a beloved co-worker that espoused these values and has since left us for greener pastures.
The 2014 recipient of the Premier Bank Don Larson Partner in Service Award was Jennifer Gowin from Rochester. Leadership, teamwork, willingness to teach others, devoted wife, and years of volunteering at Channel One, Salvation Army, United Way, STEM, a Board Member of the Reading Center, and 2014 Woman of the Year at the Rochester Chapter of American Business Women’s Association make Jennifer our star in 2014 and beyond!
Past Recipients of the Partner in Service Award include: Tom Thibedeau, Penny Hults, Don Larson, Jeff Hatton, Ryan Hallberg and Family, Chris MacDonald, and Denise Kirchner.