Stearns Bank N.A.'s Mission for Senior Housing

Though Stearns Bank N.A. has experienced significant growth over the years, the $2.2 billion-asset community bank hasn’t forgotten its roots.

Recently, Stearns Bank demonstrated its continuing support to its hometown by donating $275,000 to Mother of Mercy Senior Living in Albany, Minn. This contribution will be used to fund the organization’s ongoing renovations with the goals of improving common spaces and bathroom accessibility.

“Our hope is that [the donation] is going to improve the livelihood of the residents there by giving them more spaces to meet with family members, [making it] a cheerier environment for them and [making it] more accessible, particularly for those who are handicapped,” said Rory Bidinger, the bank’s chief marketing officer.

Stearns Bank’s founder Norman Skalicky began supporting Mother of Mercy soon after moving to Albany with his family in the 1960s. Both the bank and the senior living community were founded near the same time and are part of the bedrock of the town. His daughter, Kelly Skalicky, Stearns Bank’s CEO, continues to carry the torch on the bank’s mission to support the community.

“We have a passion and a commitment for … making a positive difference in our communities, and this is one way of doing that,” Bidinger said. “This supports our commitment to making an impact on the communities where we have a presence throughout the U.S.”

—Victoria Schutz