Grace Rubischko, of Minnwest Bank, Gibbon, is shown after being inducted into the Minnesota Bankers Association’s Pioneer Club. Also pictured in the photo are MBA President/CEO Joe Witt; Immediate Past Chair Mark Miedtke from Citizens State Bank, Hayfield; and MBA Chair David Krause from Pioneer Bank in St. James.

EDEN PRAIRIE – The Minnesota Bankers Association (MBA) recently inducted Grace Rubischko, Minnwest Bank, Gibbon, into its Pioneer Club during its Annual Summit and 130th Annual Meeting at Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, Minneapolis. The Pioneer Club honors bankers who have been in the banking industry for 50 or more years.

Rubischko achieved 50 years in banking in September of 2018. She started her banking career as a bookkeeper at State Bank and Trust, now Frandsen Bank and Trust, in New Ulm. She spent ten years there working her way up to head teller.

Rubischko left State Bank and Trust and moved with her husband and family to the family farm located near Gibbon. After moving, she was offered a position at Citizens State Bank in Gibbon as a teller and did some work in the loan department over the next ten years until Citizens State Bank was purchased by Minnwest Bank in March of 1988, and they offered her a position. Over the next 30 years she worked her way up to Vice President Branch Manager of the Gibbon office.

Over her 50 years in banking Rubischko has seen many changes. Most of them have been in technology and regulations. She will miss her banking world and all of the wonderful customers and employees she has had the good fortune to work with over the years. Rubischko’s last day of banking was Dec. 31, 2018.

In addition to Rubischko, four other bankers from around the state were inducted into the MBA’s Pioneer Club. “We are proud to honor these bankers for their tremendous and lifelong commitment to the industry,” said Joe Witt, President/CEO of the MBA. “It is because of their hard work and dedication that banks remain a solid foundation in their communities.”

The other pioneer bankers are Steve Gilmer, State Bank of Delano; Dorothy Jensen, Currie State Bank; James Lindberg, Security State Bank of Marine; and Harry Wahlquist, Star Bank, Maple Lake.

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 chartered banks. The MBA is proud to support our member banks as they work to ensure vital communities throughout the state. For more information, please visit our website at www.minnbankers.com.