Photo courtesy of Citizens Bank Minnesota Citizens Bank Minnesota, 105 N. Minnesota St., celebrates its 150th year of community banking this year. The banks latest building was part of an expansion project completed in 1973. An adjacent property, The Office Bar, was purchased in 1988. An insurance agency was added in 1989.

NEW ULM — While celebrating 150 years in business this year, Citizens Bank Minnesota continues to upgrade its central technology system that processes all transactions, accounts and customer data.

The bank’s core conversion, a two-year process, will enable it to migrate to a newer technology version for increased functionality, an improved customer experience and most digital capabilities.

“Our core system which drives the bank, is getting an update allowing us to improve our digital offerings,” said Citizens Marketing Officer Missy Visser

“Clients will see minimal changes in their normal banking process, but internally, many changes will allow us to gain efficiency in our daily duties,” said Mark Denn, Citizens New Ulm’s 13th President/CEO. “A team of some of our strongest employees led by Operations Vice President Kathy Drexler and Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Lisa Reinarts has been assembled. The system upgrade is a vital investment in the bank’s future, enabling digital transformation, allowing us to remain competitive and ensure long-term sustainability.”

Visser said the New Ulm bank’s staff of 105 employees live the bank’s commitment daily of volunteering, serving on boards, coaching youth teams and championing local causes.

Citizens Bank New Ulm staff includes a number of people who have been with the bank for many years. Teller Sharon Nordby was recently cited for 59 years of service. She continues to work at the bank.

“Staff dedication reflects the heart and spirit of the communities we’re honored to serve,” said Visser. “We’ve remained community-owned and rooted in Minnesota, bringing stability, integrity and local decision-making to our communities and the people we serve.”

“150 years of vision, dedication, and trust — a legacy built not just in years, but in the countless stories, relationships, and dreams we’ve helped shape across generations and communities,” Denn said. “From humble beginnings to remarkable milestones, we have grown together, weathered challenges, and embraced opportunities with resilience and passion. Here’s to honoring the past, celebrating the present, and inspiring the future with the same unwavering spirit that has guided us for a century and a half.”

Headquartered in New Ulm, Citizens Bank Minnesota is community-owned bank founded in 1876 and still operating under community ownership. With branches in Lafayette, La Salle, Lakeville, Watkins and Ormsby, the bank offers personal, business and agricultural services, and has consistently earned top ratings for financial strength and customer service.

Citizens State Bank opened Feb. 1, 1876 in downtown New Ulm. Citizens was not the first bank in New Ulm. There were a handful of older banks in New Ulm prior to 1875.

A new bank building made of stone, brick and concrete, was completed in 1914 at the location of the current bank that is the oldest bank in New Ulm and one of the oldest in Minnesota.

More than 3,000 people participated in the Citizens Bank 50th Anniversary celebration in 1926. The main lobby was transformed into a flower garden.

A booklet “After 50 Years of Service” that described the Minnesota River Valley as it began to be settled by pioneers from 1850 to 1855, was distributed at the bank’s 50th anniversary celebration.

New Ulm came into being during this period as a little pioneer town. It differed from other pioneer settlements, however, being the center of a very large German colonization.

New industries came to New Ulm during Reconstruction days after the Civil War. In response, Citizens National Bank was organized. Michael Mullen was chosen as president, a post he held for 35 years, until he died in 1910.

Citizens Bank and Brown County Bank were the only survivors of the great depression of 1931, when Brown County Bank merged with Citizens.

Over the past 149 years, Citizens Bank has had only 13 presidents.

With continued growth, the bank bought the adjacent Dacotah Hotel in 1968 for future development and operated the hotel until it was closed in 1971 and the building was torn down.

A bank expansion was completed in 1973 with walk-up banking, a community first.

The bank purchased another adjacent property, The Office Bar, in 1988 and added an insurance agency in 1989.

Citizens purchased a Lafayette branch office in 1992 and another branch office in La Salle in 1998.

A major renovation project was completed in 2000. Online banking was added in 2001. A Lakeville branch opened in 2004. Ormsby State Bank was acquired and remodeled in 2021

Citizens will host a celebration for all New Ulm clients on Tuesday, July 21 at the Brown County Fairgrounds. Evening music will be provided by Revline, a band featuring Citizens Auditor/Assistant Vice President Stacy Fischer Merkel on rhythm guitar and vocals. Celebrations will also be held for Citizens branch banks.