History

1875 -In 1875 the need of more ample banking facilities became apparent in the village of New Ulm. It was in response to this need that Citizens National Bank was organized and on February 1, 1876 it opened its doors for the first time.

Citizens' first president, Michael Mullen, held his post for 35 years -- from 1875 until his death in 1910.

1883 - Citizens National Bank continued as a national bank until 1883, when the directors thought the bank would be better as a private bank. The name was changed to Citizens Bank.

1908 - Citizens Bank incorporated as a State bank and operated as Citizens State Bank of New Ulm.

1910 - A.W. Bingham takes over as president of Citizens.

1912 - Chas. Silverson is named president.

1914 - Construction of Citizens new building on Minnesota Street is complete. The bank still occupies this building today.

1914 - O.M. Olsen becomes president

1930 - H.N. Somsen Sr. becomes the bank's fifth president.

1933 - F.H. Retzlaff becomes the president of Citizens , and serves for twenty years.

1953 - A.G. Meile is named president of Citizens.

1956 - Citizens offered the very first drive up banking in the city of New Ulm.

1960 - H.H. Prahl is named president.

1964 - V.P. Reim is named president.

1968 - R.C. Eichten becomes the new president of Citizens.

1973 - With continued growth of the bank, a total renovation and expansion of the bank occurs.

1975 - The Junior Bankers Club was established in, offering savings accounts for children with opportunities to learn about banking, with the enhancement college scholarship program 1999.

1981 - D.J. Gollnast is named president of Citizens.

1982 - The Gluck-n-Spiel Club began for customers 55 and older offering social activities and trips.

1983 - The Board of Directors authorized a name change from Citizens State Bank of New Ulm to Citizens Bank of New Ulm.

1984 - Keeping pace with technological advances, Citizens installed their first ATM, giving account holders access to their money 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

1985 - Citizens Bank of New Ulm becomes the wholly owned subsidiary of Citizens Bancorporation of New Ulm, Inc., a one bank holding company.

1988 - L.H. Geistfeld is named the new president of Citizens

1988 - When another adjacent property, known as the "Office Bar", became available in 1988, Citizens acquired it, expanding the existing bank building again.

1989 - Seeking to provide customers with more comprehensive financial services, Citizens merged with the Prange-Herbeck Insurance Agency, becoming Citizens Agency in 1989.

1992 - Citizens purchases the Citizens State Bank of Lafayette and begins its operation as a branch office.

1998 - Citizens purchases the State Bank of La Salle and begins its operation as a branch office.

2000 - At the turn of the century, Citizens main office proceeded in a major renovation project as a way to greet the new millennium. Through the renovation, the beautiful architecture of the 1914 bank building was reclaimed - while updating the facility to offer the best personal service and technology to the customers.

2001 - Citizens launches online banking.

2003 - With the growth and expansion, the Board of Directors authorized the name change from Citizens Bank of New Ulm to Citizens Bank Minnesota to more accurately reflect all the communities we serve.

2004 - Continuing our growth, Citizens searched for opportunities of diversification and the south metro area was the logical choice. Lakeville was the community that rose to the top. A highly visible and convenient location was chosen. Ground breaking for the new branch office was in July of 2003 and the Grand Opening was held in April of 2004.

2011 - theGirls! Club was introduced - exclusively for female clients of Citizens Bank Minnesota.

 

2013 - Lou Geistfeld, President of Citizens Bank Minnesota, is named 2013 "Banker of the Year" by NorthWestern Financial Review magazine.

 

2016 - Citizens celebrates its 140th Anniversary with the launch of their Core Values: Excellence, Integrity, Culture, Loyalty and Innovation.

 

2018 - Introduced "WooHoo! It's What We Do" and trademarked "WooHoo! Banking"

 

2019 - Launched our new Vision Statement - "Delivering the Ultimate Experience"

 

2019 - Named New Ulm's Large Business of the Year

 

2020 - Mark Denn becomes the new President/CEO of Citizens

 

2020 - Citizens purchased Farmers State Bank of Watkins and begins its operation as a branch office. In addition to the Bank merger, Citizens Bancorporation of New Ulm, Inc., entered into an agreement to purchase Farmers State Agency of Watkins, Inc., an insurance agency. 

 

2020 - In conjunction with the purchase of Farmers State Agency of Watkins, Citizens Agency's name changed to Citizens Agency Minnesota.