Independent Banker - September 2021 - 79

and her sister, Lorri, took over as the
bank's full owners after Skeie passed
away in 2017 and built on his goal of
keeping technological acumen at the
heart of the bank.
" We've been on the cutting edge of
technology for decades now, " Crane
says. " My father was an electrical
engineer by education, and I kind of
carried over into his philosophy of
business. I really believe we wouldn't
be where we are today if he hadn't had
that vision over 40 years ago to start
the push for technology. "
Giving to schools and students
East Grand Forks Senior High School
used its grant to purchase a laser
engraver. It has not only benefited the
school's STEM programs but is also
being used to help students learn how
to run the school store. They've used it
to design, produce and sell products.
" I am just so thankful from the
bottom of my heart for [Ultima
Bank], " says Brian Loer, principal
of East Grand Forks Senior High
School. " I know our whole school,
admin team, the staff, say thank you
to [the bank, which was] so generous
in giving us this tool for our kids to
learn on. "
" [Technology investments] last,
and they make a difference over
time when you buy equipment that
you wouldn't otherwise have in your
school budget, " says Mark Finstad,
Ultima Bank's chairman.
Ultima Bank's dedication to STEM
extends beyond this year's grants. The
staff participates in an annual award
ceremony for high school seniors with
an overall high GPA and excellent
marks in math and science, some
of whom have interned at the bank.
Crane hopes the grants will provide
better education for local students who
one day may want to work at the bank.
" My attitude is, on some level,
hopefully, we're helping the next
" We promote technology and
education here at the bank and
throughout our communities. It just
seemed like a natural fit. "
-DAWN SKEIE CRANE, ULTIMA BANK
generation of bankers, " she says.
In addition to donating to schools,
Ultima Bank donates directly
to students through its annual
scholarship program. This year,
students were asked to include an
essay in their scholarship application
about how the pandemic affected
them. Five high school seniors each
received $2,000 to help pay for their
postsecondary education.
Crane's father started the
scholarship program about 20 years
ago. " When you read about the needs
of the kids and what's going on in their
life, I guess that's always meaningful
to me, " Finstad says. " We've received
thank you letters from students saying,
'I didn't have to take out as big of a
student loan that I'll have to pay back,'
or 'I wouldn't have gone to college
without my scholarship support.' "
Crane adds, " If it weren't for our
patrons or residents, we wouldn't
be in business. So, we just believe in
giving back to the communities that
we serve. "
A culture of giving
Giving comes naturally to the staff
of Ultima Bank. The community
Tiffany Lukk is associate editor of
Independent Banker.
independentbanker.org Q 79
bank has also donated hundreds of
thousands of dollars over the years
to causes and organizations such as
local libraries and hospitals.
Many of Ultima Bank's donations
come directly from the community
bank, but employees also get
involved. For example, the bank's
Casual Friday program, where
staff get to dress casually for a
$2 donation, raises money for a
different cause each month.
Employees also recently started
a weekly cook-off where two
employees make similar dishes.
Staff members pay for their food,
and the money goes to a given
charity every month.
But donations are just one way
the Ultima Bank and its employees
give back. " [We have a] giving
culture not just in money, but in
time, " Finstad says.
Crane adds, " Several of our
staff are volunteer firefighters and
first responders. So, it's just kind
of an overall mentality or culture
at Ultima. "
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