FNC Bank News

As a second-generation owner of First National Community Bank (FNC Bank), John focused tirelessly on community and economic development in New Richmond and the Western Wisconsin region. While his efforts involved many civic achievements and resulted in countless successes for businesses and individuals across the area, the signature accomplishment of his life was leading the effort to build the much-anticipated St. Croix River Crossing from Stillwater, MN to Houlton, WI. Decades in the making, John persevered through many challenges to the project. His hard work and dedication resulted in the approval and completion of this critical infrastructure, which stands as a fitting tribute to John’s ability to bridge the gap between competing interests. He understood the importance of bipartisanship, compromise, and ensuring a “seat at the table” for all points of view and interests. The result was an engineering marvel that satisfied various transportation, environmental, and aesthetic needs, and one which will serve the Metropolitan area and Western Wisconsin for decades to come. While he would always deflect any praise for this accomplishment to the many others who also contributed mightily to the bridge becoming a reality, John remained a driving force throughout the many times the project was considered an impossibility.

John began working for the bank in 1964, under the watchful eye of his father Henning. He learned about banking from the ground up by working in various positions for several years, and he eventually succeeded his father as President and CEO upon Henning’s retirement in 1987. John understood that a bank needs to have a larger presence to successfully serve a region such as Western Wisconsin, and he oversaw expansion of the bank to branches in Somerset, Hudson, and Dresser. More recently, beginning in 2012, he began the succession process which brought his son Scott and daughter Libby into the fold to continue his community banking legacy. Scott took the reins as CEO in 2020, ushering in another generation of Soderberg leadership and reinforcing the commitment that FNC Bank remain a community-focused institution.

A lifelong resident of New Richmond, John was an active member of many local organizations and contributed countless hours in support of the community that he called home. The fact of his generosity was well-known, but the great extent of it was not. Taking credit for anything was simply not in his nature. John will be remembered for his empathy and concern for those around him in the community that he loved. Thank you John, and farewell.

 

FNC Bank is proud to announce we have been named the FY2022 Wisconsin SBA Volume Lender Award for:

“Lender with Most Approved 7(a) Loans”
Asset size: > $200 million - $300 million

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Wisconsin office is recognizing 14 lenders in 15 volume and specialty categories for FY2022, the twelve months ending Sept. 30, 2022.  With total SBA-backed FY22 lending in Wisconsin reaching more than $789 million, community lenders again played a strong role with 12 of 15 awards going to Wisconsin-based lenders. 

“SBA-backed lending in Wisconsin saw its second highest level in recent years with $789 million delivered to small business owners through SBA’s core lending programs in FY22.  While a drop from the more than $1 billion in loans last year, lenders are still delivering much needed capital to Wisconsin’s startups and more seasoned entrepreneurs,” stated Eric Ness, SBA’s Wisconsin district director.  “These high-volume lenders showcase the importance and continued availability of SBA-backed financing for small businesses at all stages of growth through Wisconsin’s  many commercial and community  banks, credit unions, CDC's, CDFI’s and other financing institutions.” 

The SBA will recognize FNC Bank along with other volume lenders at the 2023 Wisconsin Lenders Conference hosted by UW-Stevens Point on May 18.

Your Checking Account Just Got Better

FNC Bank is happy to announce our checking accounts will now have access to the MoneyPass ATM network.  The following are frequently asked questions.

What is MoneyPass?

MoneyPass is an ATM network allowing our debit cardholders access to 37,000 convenient surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.  

Why did FNC Bank add MoneyPass?

Providing MoneyPass access further enhances our checking account options and allows for greater benefits to our customers.  There is no charge to you for the addition of MoneyPass.  FNC Bank has assumed these costs as an additional perk to our customers.  Your surcharge-free ATM options just went from 4 (at each of our branches) to 37,000 nationwide.

How will this affect my checking account(s)?

MoneyPass is now available to all FNC Bank checking account cardholders.*

When will MoneyPass launch?

MoneyPass is live now so debit card customers can take advantage of these additional ATMs immediately.

How do I find MoneyPass ATMs?

You can locate MoneyPass ATMs at https://moneypass.com/atm-locator.html.  You may also continue using our branch ATMs without charge.

FNC Bank hopes you enjoy your expanded ATM options!  If you have any questions, please contact us.

*Does not include Health Savings Account (HSA) debit cardholders.

Effective February 2022, FNC Bank has moved to renewable energy sources to power each of its four branch buildings.

The bank partnered with New Richmond Utilities (serving its New Richmond branch), and Xcel Energy (serving its Hudson, Somerset and Dresser branches) to shift to 100% renewable energy sources. This approach meets sustainability goals using dedicated wind, solar and biogas resources, and achieves the bank’s goal of fully powering all FNC Bank buildings with 100% renewable energy. The decision to move to a cleaner power source is consistent with the bank’s commitment to social responsibility within the communities is it serves.

"FNC Bank is very proud to take full advantage of energy programs through the local utility companies to power our branches with 100% renewable energy.  We feel that choosing this path is not only our responsibility in furthering the larger goal of energy sustainability, it also fits squarely with our 100+ year tradition of being community-minded in everything we do. These energy partnerships enable all of our buildings to be powered 100% by renewable energy."

The bank’s move to 100% renewable energy will result in the annual equivalent of 98 cars being taken off the road, 122.5 acres of trees planted, or 180 tons of coal not burned.

FNC Bank was recently certified as a Family Friendly Workplace. Family Friendly Workplaces (FFW) is a non-profit organization partnering with businesses in St. Croix, Pierce, and Polk counties to promote family friendly policies and practices.

The Family Friendly Workplace Certification® recognizes workplaces with practices that directly support employee families as well as provide funding to family supporting programs. As part of the certification process, FFW conducted a thorough review of FNC Bank’s human resources policies and practices, awarding points for policies and practices which support families. FNC Bank received the highest Gold Level Family Friendly Workplace Certification for their dedication to employees and their families.

“FNC Bank is committed to supporting our employees, their families, and the communities we are so proud to serve,” said Scott Soderberg, CEO of FNC Bank. “Becoming a certified Family Friendly Workplace is directly in line with our values and practices, and we hope this encourages others in our communities to think about how they might work to help support families as well.”

As part of their commitment to supporting Family Friendly nonprofits, FNC Bank recently donated funds to Five Loaves Food Shelf in New Richmond through the FFW nonprofit conduit.

“We have made it a focus of ours to support organizations addressing food insecurity in our communities. This donation continues that effort, and we are proud to celebrate and empower those working to provide this critical assistance to those in need,” said Scott.

“FNC Bank’s certification is a natural fit, and we hope their leadership will encourage others to become certified,” said Neil Kline, Chief Evangelist for FFW.

FNC Bank is excited to announce the promotion of Sheri Soderquist to Chief Operating Officer. As FNC Bank’s first COO, Sheri will be responsible for overseeing daily branch operations including front-line staffing, facilities management, and bank security. She will use her skillset to develop and implement strategies for delivering a superior customer journey through efficient processes, enhanced security measures, adoption of a service culture, and expansion of account relationships.

Sheri has been with FNC Bank since 2012 and possesses a wealth of experience and knowledge vital in this new position. Her financial services career expands across consumer, commercial and mortgage areas giving her a firm understanding of financial products paired with exceptional business development and relationship management skills. As a Graduate School of Banking graduate, Sheri embodies an additional skillset to evaluate and execute operating plans, talent goals and other corporate growth objectives.

“We are excited to expand our relationship banking efforts with the addition of a COO role. This is a significant step for the bank, specifically designed to improve the way we do business” says Scott Soderberg, CEO of FNC Bank. “Sheri is uniquely qualified to do just that, based on her extensive hands-on experience at all levels of banking. We are confident in her abilities to develop strategies that will enhance the customer experience at FNC Bank.”

On a personal level, Sheri is a known leader in the communities we serve. She is an active member of the New Richmond Chamber having served on the Chamber Board since 2017 and as a Chamber Ambassador since 2012. Sheri also holds Treasurer roles for the Town of Richmond in St. Croix County since 2011 and on the board of directors at New Richmond Heritage Center since 2016.

In her most recent role of Vice President Commercial Lender at FNC Bank, Sheri will continue to serve her business customers until the bank has onboarded another Commercial Lender to assume those relationships. Her office will remain at the New Richmond branch; however, she will be frequenting the Somerset, Hudson, and Dresser locations to better serve our customers throughout western Wisconsin.