Elizabeth Andersen

Arthur Art Andersen

Michael Stein

When you think of long-standing family-owned businesses, farms, construction companies, or restaurants may come to mind. How about a bank? Look no farther than Dilworth-based Northwestern Bank, which opened in 1915 as First national Bank of Lockhart, Minn. Six years later, Arthur John (A.J.) Andersen took over operations of the bank with his son Arthur.

Present bank manager, Elizabeth Andersen, represents the fourth generation to lead the operations, which now includes six north-central Minnesota locations in Dilworth, Moorhead, Ulen, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, and Hendrum.

There is actually a fifth generation of Andersens employed at Northwestern. Elizabeth Andersen’s daughter Isabella serves as marketing manager for the firm.

“My great-great grandfather A.J. gained ownership in 1921,” said Isabella. “And in 1941, he moved the bank from Lockhart to Ulen.”

A.J. changed the corporate name to Northwestern State Bank, and by 1958, its total deposits reached over $1 million.

“In the 1960s, ownership was transferred to A.J. Anderson, Jr., my great-grandfather,” said Isabella. “My great-grandmother also worked there doing bookkeeping and other duties. In 1979, my grandfather, James Andersen, became the third generation of owners. Sadly, he passed away last year.”

Northwestern State Bank opened a second location in 1987 when it acquired what was previously known as Clay County State Bank in Dilworth, a close-knit community much like Ulen.

“The Ulen branch is in the same building as when we started in 1921,” Isabella. “Of course, we’ve done extensive remodeling over the years.”

The Ulen branch was the site of two holdups in the mid-1950s (see sidebar).

Expansion and a leadership change highlighted the early 2000s. In 2002, bank branches were added in Hendrum as well as Moorhead through what had been known as Viking Bank. The corporate name was changed to Northwestern Bank.

“In 2009 the leadership was passed down from my grandfather, James, to my mother, Elizabeth,” Isabella said. “She led our celebration of 100 years in business in 2015.”

In 2019, 10 years after Elizabeth Andersen took the reins, Northwestern Bank opened new branches in Detroit Lakes and Fergus Falls. “In 2024, our Detroit Lakes location went from being a loan processing office to a fully functioning branch.”

The bank’s commitment to the communities it serves, as well as its long-standing status as a family-owned business, was recognized in 2018 with the “Edward Shorma Excellence in Family Business” award.

“Another thing that I believe sets us apart is a focus on connecting with smaller local businesses,” Isabella said. “We understand what it’s like to be a family-owned business in a world where huge businesses dominate. Of course, that focus also includes serving area farms.”

With branches in four west central Minnesota counties, Northwestern Bank customers are not restricted to making transactions at one location. “If you’re in the lakes area during the summer, you can go to the Detroit Lakes or Fergus Falls branch,” Isabella said. “Yes, you can do your banking online, but a lot of people still like the brick-and-mortar locations. We have a very warm and friendly atmosphere, which is also professional. Our customers really appreciate that.”

Along with long-time and even multi-generational customers, many Northwestern Bank staff members have had careers that extend over two or three decades. A soon-to-be retiree after 30 years, Laurie Stuart, started out as a proof operator and finished her career in bank operations at the main operations site in Dilworth.

“It’s been a good place to work,” Laurie said. “I stayed 30 years because of the management.”

Of course, the team includes younger employees, like Gracelyn Eilertson and Thomas Geary, tellers at the Dilworth location. “I’ve worked here for a year, but I was a customer before that,” Gracelyn said. “It’s been eye-opening because I see a lot of young customers coming in as opposed to doing their banking online. I’ve also found this to be a very warm and inviting place to work. And I know our customers feel that warmth.”

Community engagement is an integral part of the bank’s core values. “Because we’re a smaller business and located in many smaller communities,” Isabella said, “we try to focus more of our contributions and volunteering to smaller communities and organizations that might not get as much attention.” That support includes area school districts, smaller nonprofits, and fundraising events in communities they serve.

While financial institutions might seem intimidating to some, Isabella stressed the warm, welcoming environment that Northwestern Bank offers its customers. “We work hard to make sure we have the right people working here. It’s a good balanced group that promotes friendly customer service.”