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About Stearns Bank

We get the job done! ®

It’s a simple motto, and one from which we never stray. We take pride in our hardworking roots and tenacious pursuit of excellence in the industry.

StarTribune Best Bank Award

We serve customers nationwide, but we’re proud to be named “Best Bank” and “Best Ag Lender” in our home state of Minnesota, three years in a row, by readers of the Star Tribune.

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The Stearns Bank Story

A modern bank with traditional roots

Stearns Financial Services Inc. (SFSI) is a well-capitalized, $2.4 billion independent financial holding company based in St. Cloud, MN. Founded in 1912, the bank was acquired by Norm Skalicky in 1964. His daughter Kelly Skalicky became president in 2018, and later was named president and CEO. Stearns Bank continues to extend its foundation of excellence with bank locations in Minnesota, Arizona and Florida.

Through decades of growth, we’ve never forgotten our roots. We remain anchored in our friendliness, fairness and financial excellence. We delight in making every customer’s life a little easier.

Our Mission and Vision

We are driven by our passion to help others achieve their greatest ambitions. We get the job done with urgency, tenacity and unlimited imagination.

We are an unrivaled trailblazer, most admired for our people, our imagination, our simplicity. Business starts here and thrives here — we are the bank you can’t live without.

Mission Vision Values 2021
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Stearns Bank Awards

At Stearns Bank, our personal service, sense of urgency, strong financial management and consistent performance are recognized nationally.

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)
Recognized as one of the top-performing banks in the nation by Independent Community Bankers of America.
Monitor Top 100
Listed among the Monitor 100 largest equipment finance companies.
American Banker Best Banks to Work For
Ranked in the top 20 on American Banker's Best Banks to Work For Listing.
Best Bank - StarTribune Minnesota's Best
Named Minnesota’s Best Bank & Best Ag Lender, three years in a row, by readers of the Star Tribune.
Great Places to Work. Certified.
This employee-validated distinction highlights our successful workplace culture efforts.

Our Values

Integrity & Accountability Sense of Urgency Employee Ownership Ambitious Hard Work Surpassing Expectations Financial Discipline Proactive Communication Community & Family Values Trailblazing Creativity Common Sense Culture of Success Tenacious Pursuit of Excellence Teamwork Constant Progress

History of Stearns Bank

  • 1912 Stearns County State Bank is chartered in Albany, Minnesota Total Assets: $300,000 Stearns County State Bank in Albany, Minnesota
  • 1964 Norman C. Skalicky purchases majority ownership in Stearns County State Bank in Albany, Minnesota Total Assets: $3.5 million Stearns County State Bank 1960s
  • 1966 Norman C. Skalicky purchases majority ownership in First State Bank in Albany, Minnesota, and combines both into a National Charter Total Assets: $7.5 million Stearns Bank Albany branch
  • 1976 Stearns Bank purchases National Machine Tool; begins leasing operations; Holdingford, Minnesota, charter is acquired Total Assets: $32.3 million Stearns Bank Holdingford branch
  • 1978 Stearns Bank opens a branch location in St. Cloud, Minnesota; Upsala, Minnesota, charter is acquired Total Assets: $46.7 million Stearns Bank Upsala branch
  • 1984 Stearns Bank starts an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Total Assets: $82.1 million
  • 1990 Stearns Bank and other banks form a holding company, Stearns Financial Services (SFSI) Total Assets: $136.8 million
  • 1997 Stearns Bank opens a location in Scottsdale, Arizona Total Assets: $589 million Stearns Bank Arizona location
  • 1998 Stearns Bank establishes a dedicated Small Business Administration (SBA) Division Total Assets: $674.6 million
  • 1999 Stearns Bank opens the Financial Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota Total Assets: $916.8 million Stearns Bank Financial Center, St. Cloud, MN
  • 2008-2012 Stearns Bank acquires from FDIC over $2 billion in failed bank assets and $1.2 billion in deposits Total Assets: $1.97 billion
  • 2016 Stearns Bank exceeds the benchmark of over $2 billion in assets Total Assets: $2.048 billion
  • 2018 Stearns Bank expands Equipment Finance Division in Albany, Minnesota Total Assets: $2.225 billion Stearns Bank Equipment Finance Division, Albany, MN
  • 2021 Stearns Bank was designated as a USDA Multi-State Lender by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This means Stearns Bank has a direct connection to the national agency, for faster decisions on loan applications and resolution of issues. Total Assets: $2.2 billion USDA-multistate
  • 2021 Stearns Bank acquired South End Capital Corp. and its digital lending platform to expand financing options and banking services for businesses. Total Assets: $2.3 billion South End Capital 2021