MBA Community Champion Recognition

The Minnesota Bankers Association (MBA) has recognized 90 Minnesota banks for their community involvement. Banks play a vital role in their communities and to honor and recognize their involvement, the MBA created the Community Champion recognition program.

BankVista is one of 90 Community Champions that have worked with hundreds of organizations in their communities this year, providing funding, volunteers, materials, supplies, and/or food for their neighbors.  Recipients of the recognition range in size from small community banks to large banks with multiple branches.

In the wake of another challenging year for many, Minnesota bankers stepped up their efforts to give back to their communities and citizens. Just during the MBA’s September Community Impact Month alone, these 90 banks and 411 branches devoted more than 3,600 volunteer hours, completed hundreds of community service projects, and donated tens of thousands of dollars to charitable organizations. In total, more than 279 distinct communities in Minnesota were impacted by their efforts.

MBA President/CEO Joe Witt congratulated the recipients. “Minnesota banks provide an extraordinary level of commitment to the communities they serve,” said Witt. “In addition to providing the capital that helps families and local businesses thrive, the banking industry’s record of supporting charitable and community causes is second to none. The MBA is pleased to recognize these banks for their commitment to making a real difference in their local communities”

The Minnesota Bankers Association is the state’s largest trade association devoted exclusively to the representation of commercial banks. The MBA was founded in 1889 and represents 95% of Minnesota’s banks. The MBA is proud to support our member banks as they work to ensure vibrant communities throughout the state. For more information, please visit our website at www.minnbankers.com.     


BankVista: 8-Time SBA Lender of the Year! 

We are thrilled to announce that BankVista has been awarded the prestigious title of "SBA Lender of the Year" for an incredible 8th consecutive year. This remarkable achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence in small business lending.

Our dedication to supporting the dreams and aspirations of entrepreneurs and small business owners has consistently set us apart. Year after year, we've demonstrated our expertise in SBA lending, helping countless businesses thrive and succeed.

What sets BankVista apart? 
Expertise: Our SBA Team is second to none, providing invaluable guidance to businesses seeking financial support.  
Trust: We've earned the trust of our community by consistently delivering on our promises and exceeding expectations. 
Impact: Our lending programs have a tangible and positive impact on the growth and prosperity of small businesses.

We are immensely grateful to our clients, partners, and the entire BankVista team for their unwavering support and dedication. Together, we continue to make dreams come true.

Thank you for choosing BankVista as your trusted financial partner. Here's to many more years of success and prosperity together
 


Top Workplaces 2023

The Star Tribune rated BankVista one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota. A comprehensive list of those chosen may be found at startribune.com/mn-top-workplaces and will be published in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces special section on Sunday, June 18.

Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive firms in Minnesota based on employee perspectives evaluating engagement, organizational health, and satisfaction. It is produced by the same team that compiles the 32-year-old Star Tribune 100 report of the best-performing public corporations in Minnesota. The analysis comprised responses from 124,719 Minnesota public, private, and nonprofit employees.

The Star Tribune Top Workplaces rankings are based on survey data gathered by Energage, an independent business focusing in employee engagement and retention. Over 5,000 organizations were invited to participate in the survey, and more than 124,719 employees shared their views. We are honored to be included in the list of Top Workplaces. Especially since the judges were our employees!


2022 Minnesota SBA Lender of the Year

BankVista is pleased to announce that for the 7th consecutive year we have been named a (2022) Minnesota SBA Lender of the Year by the US Small Business Administration's Minnesota District office! We take pride in assisting businesses with SBA loans and other solutions that they need to survive, grow, and thrive. We appreciate our wonderful clients and referral sources for helping us maintain this position of excellence. Thank You to our wonderful team, we do not take your outstanding efforts for granted!


Lender of the Year for MBFC

The Minnesota Business Finance Corporation has chosen Dan Nygaard as its Individual Lender of the Year for the upcoming fiscal year! Dan has won five times in the past seven years: 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2022! This was based on SBA 504 program loans that were approved.
Dan, congratulations!


Star Tribune Top 200 Workplaces

BankVista is honored to be named a Top 200 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune! Among the hundreds of employers that participated in this rigorous program, it is an honor to be placed in this category. Especially since the judges were our employees!
 
BankVista humbly thanks our employees for their talent and hard work! Our team is a made up of so many wonderful people who constantly strive to do the right thing(s) supporting each other and our clients

2020 Minnesota SBA Lender of the Year

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Minnesota District is honoring nine lenders throughout the state for their commitment to helping small businesses succeed at local branches around the state.

BankVista is honored to announce we have received the 2020 Minnesota SBA Lender of the Year award. We’d like to thank our team for their hard work and dedication. From client services to our expert lenders, we couldn’t do it without you!

We’d also like to thank the small businesses in our communities for trusting us with your business banking needs. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you! We take pride in helping businesses with SBA and other solutions needed to survive (particularly in 2020), grow and thrive.


Minnesota Bankers Association Community Champion Recognition

BankVista is one of forty Community Champions that worked with hundreds of organizations in their communities, providing funding, volunteers, materials, supplies, or food for their neighbors. Recipients of the recognition range in size from small community banks to large banks with multiple branches.

Through employee commitment to various organizations this recognition is made possible. BankVista employees are true champions for their communities.


Minnesota Business Finance Corporation Lender of the Year 2019

The MBFC Lender of the Year is determined by which lead lender does the highest dollar volume approved by the SBA and MBFC during the fiscal year. in 2019 BankVsita did a total dollar volume of $5.271 Million in SBA 504 loans which was comprised of 9 different projects.

Pictured: Nadene Kruize, Senior Vice President of MBFC, with Dan Nygaard, Vice President/Manager Small Business Division, and Tom Saehr, President & CEO of MBFC


2019 Minnesota SBA Lender of the Year

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Minnesota District will honor 12 lenders throughout the state for their commitment to helping small businesses succeed. 

“We know that without capital small businesses struggle to survive,” pointed out SBA Minnesota District Director Nancy Libersky. “This is why we work so hard to ensure the funding tap doesn’t run dry. But we can’t do it alone. Using SBA loan programs, these organizations are helping small businesses succeed every day and it’s wonderful to be able to honor their efforts supporting our state’s economy.” To see the full press release click here.


2018 and 2019 Star Tribune Top Workplace

At BankVista, we were incredibly honored to be named a Star Tribune Top Workplace in both 2018 and 2019. This recognition validates our ongoing efforts to create a positive and engaging work environment for our employees. We believe that fostering a supportive culture and providing opportunities for growth and development are essential for our team's success. Being recognized as a top workplace motivates us to continue prioritizing employee satisfaction, collaboration, and a strong sense of community within our organization. We are grateful for this prestigious acknowledgment and remain committed to maintaining our status as a leading workplace that attracts and retains top talent.


St Cloud Area Association of Realtors 2018 Affiliate of the Year Award, LouAnn Peterson

LouAnn Peterson, SVP, Mortgage Division, was named 2018 Affiliate of the Year by the St. Cloud Area Association of Realtors. Her passion and unwavering support for the real estate community have garnered her this distinguished award. LouAnn's knowledge and skills have established her as a vital and respected industry affiliate


2018 Minnesota SBA Lender of the Year

The district office recognized BankVista a 2018 Minnesota SBA Lender of the Year, recognizing exemplary performance in Small Business Administration loans. BankVista's dedication to assisting small businesses and encouraging their growth through SBA Loans has distinguished our organization in the market. BankVista's designation as a top SBA lender in Minnesota strengthens our status as a dependable and trustworthy banking institution for entrepreneurs and small business owners. 


Gold Level Top Producing Loan Officer LouAnn Peterson First Half of 2018 for MN Housing

LouAnn Peterson demonstrated exceptional performance as a Loan Officer in the first half of 2018, earning Gold Level certification for her remarkable output with MN Housing. Her knowledge and commitment to assisting clients with their home financing needs contribute to her success and recognition as a top producer. LouAnn is a valuable asset because of her ability to traverse the complex environment of mortgage lending and give customized solutions to clients. 


2017 Minnesota SBA Lender of the Year

BankVista was named 2017 Minnesota SBA Lender of the Year, a testament to our exceptional performance in Small Business Administration lending. BankVista distinguished itself as a leader in fostering entrepreneurship and economic progress by providing small businesses with access to credit. We strive to be your preferred bank as a result of our reputation as a trustworthy and dependable financial institution. 


Minnesota Business Finance Corporation Lender Of The Year 2016

BankVista has been named MBFC Lender of the Year for 2016. The award is given to the Lender with the highest dollar amount of 504 debentures approved by the MBFC and the U.S. Small Business Administration. For the full Press Release click here.


2016 Minnesota SBA Lender of the Year

Being awarded 2016 Minnesota SBA Lender of the Year was a tremendous honor for BankVista and our team, a testament to our unwavering commitment to supporting small businesses in our community. We take great pride in our ability to provide exceptional financial solutions and resources to entrepreneurs, empowering them to thrive and contribute to the local economy.


Minnesota Business Finance Corporation Lender Of The Year 2015

Minnesota Business Finance Corporation (MBFC) announced that the FY2015 MBFC Lender of The Year Award was awarded to BankVista at the FY2015 MBFC Annual Meeting. MBFC’s Third Party Lender of the Year Award is given to the Lender with the highest dollar amount of 504 debentures approved by MBFC and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) within the fiscal year. To view the press release click here.


Silver Level Top Producing Loan Officer Tom Templin First Half of 2015 for MN Housing

Tom Templin, VP, Mortgage Loan Officer, achieved outstanding success by earning the prestigious Silver Level as a Top Producing Loan Officer for the first half of 2015 with MN Housing. Tom's exceptional expertise and dedication in assisting clients with their housing needs propelled him to this recognition. His ability to navigate the complexities of mortgage lending and provide tailored solutions to borrowers played a significant role in his achievement. Tom's commitment to excellence exemplifies BankVista's commitment to delivering exceptional service and helping individuals achieve their homeownership goals.


Top 21 Banks for Community Involvement: Minnesota Bankers Association 2015 Community Champion Recipient

At BankVista, we are incredibly proud to have been recognized as one of the Top 21 banks for community involvement by the Minnesota Bankers Association. Being named a 2015 Community Champion recipient is a testament to our deep commitment to giving back and making a meaningful impact in the communities we sever. We are honored to have received this recognition and will continue to prioritize community involvement as a core part of our mission.


Top 25 Performing Banks 2013 Independent Community Bankers of America

BankVista's outstanding performance in 2013 earned them a spot among the top 25 performing banks as recognized by the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA). This renowned award acknowledged BankVista's success in financial performance, community involvement, and customer service. Our constant focus to providing exceptional banking services and contributing to the local community positioned BankVista as an industry leader.


2011 Minnesota SBA Rural Lender of the Year

In 2011, BankVista achieved a significant milestone when we were honored with the Minnesota SBA Lender of the Year award in the rural lender category. This recognition reaffirmed our commitment to supporting small businesses, as we strive to provide them with the necessary financial resources to thrive. We are proud of our team's efforts in helping local entrepreneurs realize their dreams and contribute to the growth and prosperity of rural communities throughout Minnesota.