LEGACY STORY

Heritage Bank

Heritage bank logo

Foundation:

Willmar Area Community Foundation

Award:

2016 Community Builder Award

Share This Story:

Investing in employees and building community through charitable donations and volunteering are cornerstones of Heritage Bank.

Heritage Bank began in 1969 when the Geiger family started purchasing small community banks in Iowa and Minnesota. This bank has since grown into a pillar of our community, now known as Heritage Bank, and includes twelve locations. In 2014, Heritage Bank became an employee-owned company in order to continue its long legacy of giving back to others who contribute to its success.

Heritage Bank’s strong history of giving generously to the community and investing in its employees is evident. Heritage prides itself on building community by participating in local projects and causes and by empowering its employees to give back. From volunteering with and donating to the Barn Theatre and the KCEO Program to providing scholarships for high school graduates and partnering with other lenders on a Community Lending Consortium, Heritage Bank and its staff embody the spirit of community building.

Employees have volunteered with numerous local organizations, including the United Way of West Central Minnesota, the Willmar Area Food Shelf, Kandiyohi County Economic Development Commission and the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Heritage is so invested in giving back to our communities that they formed an internal Donation Committee ten years ago to assess the many donation requests they receive each year. Community giving is such a core philosophy for Heritage Bank that job descriptions for many positions have long included community involvement as a job requirement. Bob Mathiasen, Chief Credit Officer, says it best: “We can only be as successful as the community we serve.”

When asked to give advice to other businesses on getting involved and being a community partner, Kelly Gardner, Retail Lending Manager, says, “If we all get involved, then we can make a huge impact together.”