"If it's worth doing at all, it's worth doing well."
- Harry Wahlquist, President and CEO
Harry’s words truly describe Star Bank’s philosophy and commitment to our customers, employees, and communities we serve. We want to ‘do it well’…and we work tirelessly to demonstrate that we are “The Bank That Cares™.”
Our Mission
As a family-owned community bank, our mission is to anticipate and meet the financial needs of our customers across the state of Minnesota by providing caring and personalized financial services that are consistent with our core values. We will ensure the long-term success of our customers, employees, and communities we serve by remaining profitable and independent.
In order to accomplish our mission, we commit to the following:
- Being creative, friendly, and responsive to our customers’ ever-changing needs.
- Selecting, training, and retaining motivated employees. Providing an environment where they can feel engaged and will experience a sense of personal worth, growth, achievement, and the recognition of a ‘job well done’.
- Supporting the growth and development of all segments of the communities which we serve.
- Open and ethical communication with our employees, directors, customers, vendors, and bank regulators.
Our Values
The foundation of our personal and business practice includes the following Core Values: Agility, Caring, Community Commitment, Integrity, and Tenacity.
Agility
As a smaller, family-owned community bank, our uniqueness is our ability to be flexible, balanced, and accessible. Given our size and ownership structure, we are able to rapidly adapt to market and environmental changes. Key decisions are made ‘at the table’ in a steadfast manner. Our customers reap the benefits of this agility in experiencing less red tape that permeates larger banks and financial institutions.
Caring
Our focus has, and always will be the customer. We believe in treating each of our customers in the same manner we would want to be treated, and we strive toward achieving that goal every day. We actively seek to know and understand people. We engage ourselves in building relationships by asking questions and listening, without simply assuming that we know.
Community Commitment
We take great pride in building life-long relationships within the communities we serve. Our employees are active in many different organizations that enhance the quality of life for individuals in the community. We believe that reinvesting in the community will bring long-term social and economic gains which are critical to the success of independent community banks.
Integrity
We follow the highest standards of corporate governance to earn our customers’ faith and ensure growth for the organization. We are dedicated to following the Laws, Rules and Ethical principles that govern us to provide our customers with the peace of mind they deserve.
Tenacity
We accept personal accountability toward our goals and we are willing to do what it takes by being proactive, willing to help, and delivering over-and-above service without a second thought or complaint.