Archive for the ‘ Community ’ Category

PROMISE Act Grants for Small Businesses

Citizens Bank Minnesota has been informed that the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) through a partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), will award $1.1 million in competitive grants to businesses in southern Minnesota to invest in existing operations or planned growth. The PROMISE Act Grant is a statewide program with multiple partners accepting applications throughout Minnesota. SMIF is one of six Minnesota Initiative Foundations (MIFs) that will accept applications through this program, in addition to the Neighborhood Development Center, which will accept applications in certain areas of the Twin Cities metro.

Grant awards will range from $10,000 to $50,000 and can be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, equipment, and other similar expenses that occur in the regular course of business.

Grant awards will be limited and approved on a competitive basis. Not all eligible businesses will receive a grant. Primary business operations must be located in SMIF’s region, which includes 20 counties and one Native nation. Businesses must earn $750,000 or less in gross revenue (based on 2021 taxes) to be eligible. Additional eligibility requirements are listed on SMIF’s website.

The grant cycle opens March 27, 2024, and will close on April 24, 2024. For the application and guidelines visit smifoundation.org/promise. Contact Melissa Langer (melissal@smifoundation.org) or Brian Conzemius (brianc@smifoundation.org) with questions.

For businesses that are not located in SMIF’s region, please consult the following website to determine who to contact for this program: https://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/deed-programs/promise-grant/.

The link below is where customers can find more information and also where to apply.

PROMISE Act Grants – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (smifoundation.org)

Meet our Lending Team

Citizens Bank Minnesota’s Lending Team (citizensmn.bank)

Questions? Please give one of our lenders a call at 800-549-0194 and they’d be happy to help!

2024
04/04
CATEGORY
Banking
Business
Citizens Bank Minnesota
Community
Grant Money
TAGS


Leave a comment

Citizens Bank Minnesota Employees Donate nearly $9,000.00 to Area Nonprofits

Citizens Bank Minnesota employees recently donated $8,990.00 to area nonprofits in 2023. Each year the employees choose who will receive the funds for that particular year. The funds are raised through Citizens Jeans for Change where employees can pay $5.00 every Friday to wear jeans to work, Hungry Hump Days where employees bring in snacks for purchase one Wednesday a month, as well as various employee fundraisers throughout the year. Proceeds in 2023 were split among twelve non-profit organizations located in the areas we serve.

Member FDIC

2024
01/26
CATEGORY
Citizens Bank Minnesota
Citizens for Citizens
Community
TAGS









Leave a comment

Citizens’ Bank Employees Spread Christmas Cheer

Citizens Bank Minnesota and its employees were excited to help organizations and families in need this Holiday Season. Our Main Office in New Ulm partnered with Brown County Family Services through their “Adopt a Family” program to help area families by purchasing clothing, grocery gift cards and household items. New Ulm also purchased diapers for the Blessed Bottoms Diaper Assistance Program, providing diapers to children in need. Our Watkins, La Salle and Ormsby locations were able to purchase needed items to assist several families in their areas. Our Lafayette branch donated toys for a local toy drive, and our Lakeville branch donated items to 360 Communities.

Money was donated by employees, raised through a variety of internal fundraising events throughout our locations, and a bank match was given making it possible to donate over $3,200.00 in gifts and necessities for these families and organizations.

We were happy to help these organizations as well as families who would have had an otherwise difficult time purchasing the needed items themselves. It was also a great way to remember what the Holidays are truly all about!

2023
12/29
CATEGORY
Adopt-A-Family
Citizens Bank Minnesota
Citizens for Citizens
Community
WooHoo! Banking
TAGS







Leave a comment

Day of Caring

Citizens Bank of Minnesota had multiple teams volunteering their time over two days to help rake leaves, wash windows, trim shrubs, mow lawns and more for the United Way of Brown County Area, Inc. annual “Day of Caring”!

We are proud of our staff and their family members that helped out, and the homeowners were extremely grateful as well! Volunteering is an act of service that not only benefits our favorite communities and causes — but also nurtures our own personal growth and connections with others. It’s about offering your time, energy, and skills selflessly — contributing towards making the world a better place.

2023
11/14
CATEGORY
Citizens Bank Minnesota
Community
TAGS


Leave a comment

Fall Blood Drive Held at Citizens Bank Minnesota

Citizens held a Red Cross blood drive the last week of September, where we collected 26 units of blood. Since we started having blood drives at the bank, we have collected a total of 194 units, which saves 582 lives! WooHoo – way to go team!

2023
10/18
CATEGORY
Citizens Bank Minnesota
Community
TAGS
Leave a comment

2023 Community Impact Month Project

Citizens Bank Minnesota is participating in the Minnesota Banker’s Association’s ‘Community Impact Month’ by accepting NEW donations for foster care children in need.  

Help Us Help Area Kids In Need!

Did you know in 2022 there were approximately 11,235 children and youth in Minnesota that experienced out-of-home care and approximately 6,750 children and young adults in foster care?

What is Needed

Needs vary by county, so we have complied lists of needed items and separated them by our branch locations.  New items can be dropped off from September 11th – 29th. Needs per branch are are as follows:

New Ulm

• Detergent • Kids Shampoo/Conditioner • Men/Women Deodorant (for teens) • Baby/Kids Lotion • Kids Body Wash • Adult Toothbrush/Toothpaste • Hair Brushes • Diapers/Pull Ups (all sizes) • Wipes • Teen Tampons/Pads • Boys/Girls Underwear (all sizes) • Boys/Girls Socks (all sizes) • Sports Bras (pre-teen & teen) • Pants for kids under 14 (leggings/girls or joggers/boys) • PJ’s for kids under 14

Lafayette

• Toothbrush/Toothpaste • Brush/Comb • Kleenex • Pillow/Blanket • Shampoo/Conditioner • Deodorant • Book/Journal • Small Game or Toy • PJs (newborn through adult sizes) • Underwear/T-Shirts • Gift Card for family to purchase items needed when a child first comes into care (Walmart, Target, etc.). • Gift Card for foster family to go for pizza or maybe a movie

La Salle

• Clothing for children in various sizes, including shoes  • Personal hygiene items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, brushes, shampoo, conditioner, diapers, wipes, etc.)

Lakeville

• Shoes, sneakers (child through adult sizes)  • Clothing (infant through adult sizes, biggest needs are PJ’s and bras)  • Restaurant Gift Cards (for meals)  • Gift Cards to Valleyfair, Bowling, Movies, etc.

Watkins

• Girls Underwear (ages 12+). • Girls PJ’s (ages 12+) • Young Adult Books • Socks & Underwear (girls ages 8-11, boys 12+) • Personal size toiletries • Games/activities for families to use during visitation

Ormsby

• Boy/Girl Clothing (sizes newborn thru size 6/7). • Boy/Girl Winter PJ’s • First Aid Kits • Boy/Girl Warm Winter Clothing • Safety Locks • Toys, games, etc. for birthday gifts • Door/Window Alarms • Birthday “kits” of a disposable pan, box of cake mix, container of frosting, sprinkles, candles, etc.

Monetary donations are also accepted

Thank you for your consideration and support!

Member FDIC

2023
09/12
CATEGORY
Citizens Bank Minnesota
Community
Community Impact Month
TAGS






Leave a comment

Lou Geistfeld Retires from Citizens Bank Minnesota Board of Directors

Lou Geistfeld of New Ulm has retired from his position on the Citizens Bank Minnesota Board of Directors. Geistfeld was elected to the Board in August of 1987 while also serving as Citizens President/CEO. Geistfeld retired on August 31, 2023, a period of 36 years.

While on the Board, Geistfeld served as Chairman of the Budget Committee and Funds Management Committee, as well as serving on other committees. Thank you for your service and dedication, Lou.

Citizens Bank Minnesota – Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender

2023
09/05
CATEGORY
Banking
Citizens Bank Minnesota
Community
TAGS






Leave a comment

Race 2 Raise 5K

In May, Citizens Bank Minnesota hosted their annual Race to Raise 5K event. Even though it turned out to be a rainy day, we had great competitors! Out of the 151 participants that registered for the event, 86 braved the rain and ran the race. We are proud to say that the 5K raised $3,328.85 for the American Cancer Society. Thank you to all of our runners, volunteers, and generous sponsors for making this another great event!

2023
06/20
CATEGORY
Citizens Agency Minnesota
Citizens Bank Minnesota
Citizens for Citizens
Community
TAGS

Leave a comment

Teach Children to Save Day

Throughout the months of April and May, employees from across our locations went out and presented lessons in local schools on the importance of saving money. Children were able to talk about ways to earn money, save money, and learn about interest hands on through a fun classroom activity using candy! We were able to reach:

-8 schools

-28 sections of 2nd grade classrooms

-Over 700 kids

It’s always one of our favorite activities to get out into local classrooms. If your school is interested in a Teach Children to Save presentation next year. Contact our Citizens Bank Minnesota marketing department! https://www.citizensmn.bank/contact

2023
06/07
CATEGORY
Community
Savings
TAGS






Leave a comment

Citizens Bank Minnesota Gives to Local Organizations

Citizens Bank Minnesota employees recently donated $7,313.51 to area nonprofits in the second half of 2022. Each year the employees choose who will receive the funds for that particular year. The funds are raised through Citizens Jeans for Change where employees can pay $5.00 every Friday to wear jeans to work, Hungry Hump Days where employees bring in snacks for purchase one Wednesday a month, as well as various employee fundraisers throughout the year. Proceeds were split among our branch locations and given to the Jaycees and Sertoma of New Ulm, Brown County Relay for Life, Brown County Food Shelf, Watonwan County Food Shelf, Sibley County Food Shelf, Optimist Club – Weekend Lunch Box program, Eden Valley Food Shelf, Cottonwood County Food Shelf, Watonwan Backpack Project, MN Lions Diabetes, Virginia Piper Institute for their cancer bags, and 2B Continued, a non-profit that focuses on suicide prevention and mental health awareness in young adults.

#WooHooItsWhatWeDo

Missy Visser of Citizens Bank give Jaycee donation to member, Nicholas Peterson.

Missy Visser of Citizens Bank gives Sertoma Club donation to member, Denise Fischer.

2023
02/03
CATEGORY
Citizens Agency Minnesota
Citizens Bank Minnesota
Citizens for Citizens
Community
TAGS










Leave a comment